Jeanne Ellen (Gill) Shackelford

Jeanne Ellen Gill Shackelford
(written by her adoring sisters)

Jeanne traveled from this sphere to another on Monday, August 24, 2020.

Born on February 6, 1940 to William Thomas and Edith Florence Gill, she was their first girl. She attended Danville schools and graduated in 1958.

Being shy by nature, she had difficulties being the smartest student in her class. Some  were at times jealous of her, especially when she won the County Spelling Bee, but they came to love her when they realized who she really was...
She played both piano and flute, but was to discover a love for rock music and a diverse mix of genres. She worked in the summer for her cousins, Leon and Jo Martin, at the Dairy Queen, where they were allowed to eat their mistakes. She attended Indiana  University, where she made the Dean's List, to study English literature. She graduated from Butler University with a degree in English education.

Her professional career was devoted to furthering the education of her high school students, and then for 23 years supervising the Work/Study program at IUPUI, thus enabling  students to  make enough money to supplement their scholarships and finish their degrees.

But the Jeanne we knew was one of inquisitive intellectualism.
She introduced us to health food stores in the 60's and quizzed us on politics and human relations, making sure we looked at all sides before deciding our beliefs and that we understood all of our facts before speaking out about anything.

She was at home in the Roberts family woods, as well as working for the Gill Construction Company in Washington, D.C. She cultivated her garden in the same way she cultivated her friendships, befriending the unique ones who might not be seen or heard by the masses, but were accepted unconditionally by her.

As the eldest, she bequeathed us a rich example to follow and guide our lives.

The surviving Gill girls are Judy Grimes, Jinny (Mark) Thompson and Jan Saddler.
She is also survived by nieces and nephews (some great) and their partners, and a multitude of cousins.

We will struggle to go on without her, but her spirit is in our hearts forever...
Preceding her were her many beloved Gill and Roberts ancestors and her dear brother-in-law Paul Saddler.

Gifts may be shared with the cause of your choice in her name.
There will be a celebration of her life in 2021. 

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