Thelma C. Gillette

Thelma Gillette passed away on September 22, 2009, at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday September 25, 2009, at Christ United Methodist Church in Davenport, with Pastor Mike Janes officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service time at the church. Burial will follow at Memorial Park in Davenport. Cunnick-Collins Mortuary and Cremation Service is assisting the family with arrangements.Thelma Claudine Severn was born in Bellwood, Nebraska, to Alpha and Laura Belle (Spoonemore) Severn on June 21, 1921. She grew up in Lenox, Iowa. Following her marriage to Allan Ivan Gillette on June 5, 1939, in Leavenworth, Kansas, the couple abandoned the Depression-weary fields of western Iowa for bustling Davenport. Their first night’s stay was in Vander Veer Park, where in a time before residential air conditioning, they joined others seeking relief from the summer humidity. Soon after, Thelma set about creating a painfully clean, loving and vibrant home for Ivan, six rambunctious children and an occasional raccoon. As a cook, baker and seamstress she had few peers.Thelma and Ivan were founding members of Christ United Methodist Church and supported the Christian Womens Club and the Salvation Army over decades. Together, they marshalled church volunteers for the Christ United Methodist food tent at the annual Mississippi Valley Fair and helped feed the less fortunate at the Salvation Army. After a dear friend became terminally ill, Thelma brought her into her home and, while juggling her own adolescents, nursed her friend to a peaceful end.Though dementia stole her memories over 14 years, Thelma planted fresh memories for all whose lives she graced with kindness and gentle humor.Thelma is preceded in death by Ivan Gillette (the love of her life); her parents, Alpha and Laura Belle Severn; siblings Paul Severn, Dorothy Blaess, Beatrice Severn, Frank Severn, Bonnie Seniff, and Shirley Barker; and treasured in-laws Lois Ferris, Dean Gillette, Dr. Douglas Eitzman, Darlene Taylor and Doris Gillette.She is survived by her children, Sheri Eitzman, Gary Gillette, George and Helen Gillette, Sue Gabel (Craig), Brenda Prindiville (Dennis), and Brian and Angela Gillette; her siblings, Wilma Jackson, Willard Severn, Helen Murphy and Haldean Severn; her grandchildren, Mark Eitzman, Daniel Eitzman, Alicia Eitzman, Kristin Eitzman, Felicia Graham, Lisa Gillette, David Gillette, Aaron Gillette, Nate Gillette, Rachel Gillette and Mackenzie Prindiville; her great-grandchildren, Drake, Sara, Emily, Matthew, and Benjamin; and a cornucopia of nieces and nephews.Memorials may be given to Christ United Methodist Church and the Salvation Army.As her daughter Sue Gabel says, “It takes a village to raise a mother.” Thelma’s village includes Dr. Wahlid Al Sheikha, his nurse Becky Rupe, neurologist Dr. John Wright, Hy-Vee pharmacist Randy Bickford and friends at Jersey Ridge Retirement Community and Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House.