Mrs. Ethel Gill

Ethel G. Gill - beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend passed away on December 27th at the age of 93. Youngest of five children born to Hesse V. and Ivan H. deMercado in Costa Rica, she moved to Maryland around the age of 7 after the death of her father. She was raised in Pimlico by her mother and stepfather, Philip G. Harman, and attended St. Ambrose School. She married Lloyd L. Gill and their family grew to include five children. Ethel and Lloyd lived in the Baltimore area until the late seventies, when they moved to Florida and started a successful plant nursery. Ethel had a zest for life, a great sense of humor, and a quick wit. She was a devoted sports fan, cheering on her home teams and enjoying any and all sports. Throughout her life she was an avid reader, often reading 2 or 3 books at the same time. Ethel was knowledgeable about subjects ranging from current events to history, literature, and sports. She was known for her amazing meals, making everything from scratch. An exceptional baker, she made the most wonderful Christmas sugar cookies from her secret family recipe, carefully rolling and decorating each one with great care. Her sugar cookie recipe has been passed down from generation to generation, and now even the youngest great-grandchildren are rolling out these Christmas delights. She loved nature and animals. Who could forget the time she nurtured baby pigs in her farmhouse kitchen? Throughout her life she had many dogs and cats who were treated like royalty. One morning she even cooked eggs for a hungry fox that was passing though the nursery. Every day from her window she would watch the deer, squirrels, chipmunks, and birds. Occasionally, she would name her favorites and watch them season to season. Ethel was a genuine animal whisperer. She lived a long life filled with the love of her family and friends. Her family was truly the center of her world! She is survived by her children, Judy Gill, Jerry Gill, Bonnie Harting, and David Gill; her daughters-in-law, Ann Pumphrey, Jill Gill, and Sharon Gill; her son-in-law, Dennis Harting. She had 11 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Lloyd L. Gill, her son Larry Gill, and her sisters and brothers. The family will receive friends from 4 to 7pm on Sunday, January 5, 2020, at Haight Funeral Home & Chapel, 6416 Sykesville Road, Sykesville. A funeral service will be held on Monday, January 6, 2020, at 10am at the funeral home, followed by interment in Lake View Memorial Park.

Mrs. Ethel Gill

April 16, 1926 - December 27, 2019