It is with great sadness and love that we mourn the loss of Karin Jean Gillett who passed away on January 13, 2022. A devoted wife, mother, sister, and friend. Karin left us too soon. Her life and legacy will be remembered by many people. Karin was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a daughter of George and Doris Goosmann. She attended high school in East Grand Rapids and graduated from The University of Michigan. At Michigan she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority.
While at Michigan, Karin met the love of her life, Ron. What started as a blind date at a sorority event evolved five months later into a shared journey of 54 years. They moved to Brevard County, Florida, in January 1968, and enjoyed all the things that go with Florida living. After moving to Florida, Karin furthered her education by earning an MBA from Stetson University.
In her early career, Karin worked at IBM as a system analyst for five years before she and her father opened three dress shops called Karin’s in Melbourne, Merritt Island, and Orlando.
Karin always loved church and Bible study. Karin was a lifelong Christian Scientist and a Christian Science Practitioner for over 40 years. She dedicated her life to helping others understand their relationship with God and expect healing through her loving ministry. Over the many years of membership at First Church of Christ Scientist, Cocoa, she served in many different roles. Some of which were on the Board of Directors, First Reader, and Sunday School Teacher.
She really enjoyed traveling with her children and husband, especially to go west on road trips across the country to visit her son and his family. One of her favorite places to see was Alaska and cruising the inner passage. One of her wildest adventures was going to Antarctica where the airlines lost her and her daughter’s luggage for a week and they were mistaken as crew members on the cruise line in their borrowed clothes.
Karin had many loves and interests outside of family, friends, and church. She fostered and facilitated many online groups across various social media platforms on adoption, knitting, beading, travel, and more. The common thread in all was her unfailing focus on kindness, listening, community, friendship, and joy.
Karin was predeceased by her only beloved son Kevin (Erin) and is survived by her husband Ron Gillett, children Keira (Neil Dergenski), Caidi Phillips (Eric), and Caia Gillett; sister Nancy Carter (Scott), and grandchildren Paedrin and Kingsley Gillett and their loving mother Erin.
Viewing: 1/20/2022 10 am to Noon
Life Event Center at Florida Memorial Gardens
5950 S US Highway 1
Rockledge, FL 32955
Service: 1/20/2022 2pm to 3pm Laurie Brady to Officiate
First Church of Christ, Scientist, Cocoa, FL
235 N Indian River Dr
Cocoa, FL 32922
Immediately following will be a reception in the Sunday School with refreshments and closing with a hymn sing of Karin's favorite Hymns.
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