Obituary of Carol C Gilley

Carol C. Gilley died on Monday, September 19, 2016 at her home in Deansboro, N.Y. She was 79. Carol Ann Cannon Gilley was born November 18, 1936, in Saginaw, Michigan. Her parents were Carrie Alta Bullock Cannon and Guy Henry Cannon. She is survived by her husband Lawrence C. Gilley; three children: Glenda J. Ward, Sharon T. Rippey and Jon L. Gilley, their spouses, Raymond Ward, Mackay Rippey and Michelle Gilley; and seven grandchildren: Cassandra and Sarah Ward, Aurora, Gabrielle, and Jasmine Rippey, and Ian and Cameron Gilley. Other relatives include Lawrence's sister Jackie Michel and her husband Peter, sisters Leah Atwater and Dorothy Piegols and their husbands John Atwater and Alvin Piegols; and brother Glen Cannon and his wife Linda. Carol is predeceased by her sister Lucille Cannon Hockemeyer. She was a United Church of Christ missionary in southern Africa for 38 years. Her ministry was teaching: Sunday School preparation and curriculum development, sewing, music, and adult literacy. In Natal, South Africa, she was a missionary teacher. In Swaziland, she visited prisoners and worked with South African and Mozambican refugees, teaching them English and providing support services. In Kuruman, South Africa, she was a librarian and also developed a program for early childhood development. She retired in 2002 and settled in Deansboro, N.Y. Carol graduated from Midland High School in Midland, Michigan, then earned a bachelor of arts in Kindergarten and Primary Education from Oberlin College. Later, she took education courses from Columbia University and earned a master's degree in linguistics from American University. She spoke Portuguese, Zulu, Siswati, and Xitswa. She was an avid gardener and musician. She attended many Hamilton College performing arts events and lectures, as well as plays and musical performances by her grandchildren and great nephews. She enjoyed the Cooperstown Glimmerglass opera. Carol was a member of the Deansboro Congregational United Church of Christ, 2779 State Route 12B Deansboro, N.Y., where calling hours will be held on September 21, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Memorial gifts may be made to the Marshall Historical Society (PO Box 232, Deansboro, New York 13328), for which Carol served as Secretary and Treasurer, or to the Deansboro UCC (PO Box 276, Deansboro, New York, 13328).