I can't ever remember PianoHeart in a bad mood.  I first knew her as my Aunt Dolores, for many years of my youth.  Most of my memories are rooted in the Holidays when our families would get together.  There were also those family gatherings that usually involved music-making.  The feast and then the music played together afterwards in the living room.  Anytime we got together was a good time.

And I can recall when she changed her name.  I always thought that PianoHeart must've been such a strong woman.  She'd been through a lot and she kept going strong.  I knew that she was a religious woman but she never seemed to preach it,  I believe she tried to share the Gospel by just simply living it and passing that along to her kin.

I'll remember PianoHeart as a helpful, hopeful and humble person, full of Love for the Lord and music in her heart.

The last time I saw PianoHeart, when she heard me saying "Goodbye" to her, she sat up abruptly, at attention and alert, looked at me and gave me the firmest handshake ever.  She must've recognized my voice and that brought us both back to those days gone by, when we were both younger and more familiar as family.  Still, we shall always and forever be together as family.






I remember the day of her wedding.  She was so happy.  It was a grand occasion.  And I remember when she was dating Donald.

She was religious, always cheerful and always looked on the bright side of things.  At family gatherings she was always the first to volunteer to wash the dishes after the feast.

A humble and helpful woman, family, for a very long time.

May PianoHeart forever rest in Peace.

I have fond memories of Aunt Pianoheart. One that comes to mind was Thanksgiving back when she lived in Glendora. Everyone was there. Aunt Pianoheart brought out some toys for us to play with. I've never had so much fun with bottle caps and styrofoam balls. She was nonjudgmental and accepting of all of us, while still being herself and sharing her beliefs. We all sat around while she played the piano, and we ate a delicious meal which she put her heart into. There must be a picture of that Thanksgiving somewhere because I remember standing outside in the front yard together posing for it. Another time, my mother and I took a walk, and we stopped by Aunt Pianoheart's house uninvited, that same one on Carroll. She welcomed us in and told stories about her experiences with spirits in the house. She was so captivating in her storytelling, and her faith was unshakable. I always looked forward to her Christmas presents. Even if I hadn't seen her in years, she would give me something, usually wrapped in a shoebox. I loved her beautiful hairstyle that reminded me of some other time, and she wore it well. Her smiling face and pretty pink eyes. She would look at me fondly, even though she couldn't see me very well, opening my eyes to the impact of blindness and how she overcame it, never letting it get in the way of things she loved. As a little kid, I thought it was so cool how she could read braille. If it hadn't been for Aunt Pianoheart, I might not have learned to be so understanding of people experiencing blindness or albinism. Her kindness and pure heart made it easier to empathize with other family members sharing the same circumstances. There are so many more memories I could share. Having her as a part of our family made my childhood memories richer.

She was a very nice sister to me. Always very generous and helpful. Me and my daughter Joanne, when she was little, spent many nights with her and we had a lot of fun. Anytime I ever wanted to go to her house she never said no. She invited us to dinner and she would buy me things I wanted or needed. One time I saw a pair of pants I wanted and she bought them for me! She was such a generous person even though she didn't have much money. She had very little money but was so generous! She will be truly missed. I'm sure she is in Heaven with her two sons Frank and Danny, her husband Don,  her sisters Virginia and Gloria, and her mom and dad.  

Aunt PianoHeart was a listening  ear, a guiding hand, and a source of unconditional love for me. She and I shared long talks, good laughs, and shed tears together. She, in some ways, was like a trusted friend and mentor, and she was always there when I needed her. Our bond was strong and it transcends dementia and even death. 

My relationship with Aunt PianoHeart was special. When I was a child she would occasionally motion me to her room when nobody was looking and she'd open her dresser drawer and let me select a chocolate from the secret stash of See's Candy she kept. 

As a teen she threw me a baby shower with all love and zero judgement in her heart. The cake she bought from Mrs Simmon's Bakery was delicious!

Another time, still as a young teen, she took me along to a Women's Bible Study that she led. I felt very special to be treated as a smart young woman even though my age did not yet qualify me for that role.

When I was financially struggling as a young adult she would shower me with groceries, and even took me to Puente Hills Mall via bus to buy me clothes that I needed. 

She and I had lots of fun times together. She once brought her kids with her to spend the night at my apartment. We all slept together in my king-sized water bed and we laughed and talked into the night as the motion of the water rocked us to sleep.  

When I was older and lived nearby to her on Linfield St she would walk to my house and surprise me with a visit. I always enjoyed our chats and our laughs. 

After my kids had grown up, we enjoyed Friday nights together playing Scrabble for several years. That was very enjoyable.

I'm happy that I was able to help care for her the last year of her life. Even though she did not seem to remember me, I was able to show her love by cooking healthy meals, making homemade cookies and sweet breads, and keeping her apartment tidy and clean the way she always liked it.

So many memories I will cherish the rest of my life. I will miss her. 

Aunt PianoHeart she had a gentle spirit and her soul was tender, kind her talent playing the piano would catch my attention. Every time as she sang praises to God, she walked in the Holy Spirit, showing the fruit of love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. I will miss her dearly. 

she was so special, so beautiful so kind, she inspired me. She was strong, wise loving to everyone. I will miss her so much she played piano at my wedding. She was always so thoughtful.

I missed the lovely weekends we got to come over and play with our cousins PianoHeart was so kind and she loved Jesus.

My memories of our Aunt PianoHeart represent Christ's purity, generosity, and caring loving heart. John 13:34-35. I loved my time with her going to visit her church, I enjoyed her piano playing, and how she put her whole heart into singing God's hymns.I have many memories of staying with her, and visiting at her home. i can sum up all my memories to this very thing; Galatians 22-23 But the fruit of the spirit is Love,Joy, Peace, Long Suffering, Kindness, Goodness,Faithfulness,Gentleness,Self-contol. My aunt PianoHeart did her very best with the upbringing, knowledge, talents,and earthly possessions that God Granted her. She shared all with her entire family, and and with those around her in need. She was hard working, and selfless. She had love enough for 2 Parents ...and her children were her most precious Gift from God

I Loved it when she played Piano, she was like an angel 

Grandma was the most gracious woman I ever knew. I watched people tease her and she choose to love them still. She was an example in many ways of a Christian. She always cared about everyone.  Her soul is one of a kind and she will be dearly missed.

While I was staying at Aunt PianoHeart’s home  I was blessed by her sweet teaching and examples. we would do certain house chores on certain days of the week. She taught me how to make a bed. At age 15 I was fascinated by how precise it was. We spread the crisp sheets and tucked the bottom in and made it taut. We folded the top sheet over the blanket so it would be easy to pull the covers down later. We fluffed up the pillows. Then we put the bedspread on top. We pulled it up high  and folded it down so that it could be folded up over the pillows and spread evenly for a perfect fit. We went around to each bedroom. We made Frankie’s bed then Rachel’s then Danny’s , and her own bed. I still make beds the way she showed me.

She was a very loving kind woman I send my prayers and condolences to the family

OBITUARY

PianoHeart Anointed Gilliam

10 September, 1939 – 5 May, 2023

Oakdale Mortuary & Memorial Park

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