Gilberte R. Stoddard was born in Fall River, Massachusetts in 1922. The daughter of Alma and Adelard Chagnon. "Gilly" as she has been known for many years, was named after her Grandfather Gilbert who had passed away prior to her birth.
Gilly met the love of her life, Edgar S. Stoddard, Jr. while singing at a banquet in Providence, Rhode Island in 1944. Ed was stationed at New London, Connecticut as a submariner, but was spending the weekend in Providence when they met. They were married in 1947 in Massachusetts.
Gilly studied music and art in the East Coast schools, where she also learned French as a young child and also taught it in local schools. Her art studies included costume illustrations, clothes designing, millinery designing, which she also taught in many women's groups and various adult education programs in high schools.
Her music education led her to perform in several glee clubs, in both Massachusetts and in Illinois singing choirs. She also played the piano in a dance band and directed a woman's glee club named the "Melodears" in the Wildwood and Grayslake areas. Her daughters and grandchildren inherited their musical talents and abilities from her.
In 1963, Gilly was given the honor of being selected as "Homemaker of the Year" of Lake County and the State of Illinois.
In her millinery designing and teachings she changed from "hats to halos" when she had a Divine encounter with her Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, in 1968 and became a student of the Bible. Gilly was invited to many women's groups in the nation to share Biblical studies, and studied for fourteen years until she was ordained Pastor of the Word of Faith Community Chapel in Libertyville, Illinois. Gilberte was a founder, Bible teacher, organist and Pastor of Word of Faith.
Gilly was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 72 years, Bud. Also preceding her were her parents, three brothers, and eldest daughter. Survivors include three daughters and their spouses, ten grandchildren and their spouses, and eighteen great-grandchildren.
Donations may be sent to Star Hospice, 1790 Nations Drive, Suite 205, Gurnee, IL 60031 or their headquarters: Hospice Promise Foundation, 901 Hugh Wallis Rd, South Lafayette, LA, 70508 (website: [email protected] for online donations). Donations are used for families with loved ones in hospice care to help pay for funerals and burials when they are unable. Star Hospice provided Gilly with more care than we ever expected.
The Stoddard family would like to extend their deepest love and thanks to everyone who helped Gilly through her journey, especially her caregiver, Doreene, a true angel from Heaven. Also thank you to everyone from Star Hospice for their dedication over the years. Sincere thanks to everyone at Dr. Mila Kyncl's office for always being willing to help us. And to Barb Jacob, who's "two weeks" turned into months of caregiving, thank you.
May God bless you all.
Due to Covid-19 the family is having private services.
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