Dorene Kelley Gill, 74, went home to be with Our Lord on November 21, 2018, at the Mike Conley Hospice House in Clermont, FL, after a brief, but valiant fight against cancer. Born on July 13, 1944, she was the daughter of the late James and Virginia Kelley. She grew up in Fair Oaks, PA, graduating from St. Veronica High School. Her professional career began at Eastern Air Lines in New York City, which sparked her love for travel and later moved her to Orlando, FL, where she would meet her husband, Floyd "Fred" Gill, working at Walt Disney World.
Dorene resided in Central Florida with her family for most of her adult life, working for over 25 years with Eastern Air Lines and later Kiwi International Air Lines. She was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church Orlando from 1973 to 1999.
After retirement, Dorene lived in Ocean Springs, MS, until she and her husband lost their home and nearly all their possessions to Hurricane Katrina. They then returned to Florida to reside on their boat the "Eternity" in Long Boat Key. Dorene enjoyed traveling as first mate with her husband, "Captain Fred," and their beloved dog, Rosie, by boat and RV until Fred passed away in December 2009. Dorene's last home was in Clermont where she resided until her death.
Loved by all who met her, she was highly active in her community, a vibrant member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, and a volunteer at Mike Conley Hospice House. She loved her Centering Prayer Group, spending time with friends and family, doting on her two granddaughters, hosting, traveling, taking lots of photos, and caring for others. As the heart of her family and community, she will be deeply missed.
In addition to her parents, and her husband of 36 years, she was preceded in death by a son, Jonathan "Lance" Gill; a sister, Mary Ellen Lyons; and four brothers, James, Thomas, Anthony and Paul Kelley. She is survived by three sons, Christopher Gill, of California, Floyd "Freddy" Gill, Jr., of Ocoee, FL, and John Gill, of Orlando, FL; two granddaughters, Kayla Bali, of London, England, and Rebecca Gill, of Orlando, FL; her mother-in-law, Mena Koch of Biloxi, MS; a sister, Kathleen Timney, of Rochester, PA; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Peter and Bethea Kelley, of Beaver, PA, and A. William and Jewel Kelley, of Rochester, NY; two sisters-in-law Gloria Kelley, of Edgeworth, PA, and Shirley Dravich, of Grove City, PA; and dozens of beloved nieces and nephews. A mass and Celebration of Dorene's Life will be held at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Clermont, FL on Friday, January 4, at 10 a.m. Internment will follow at 2:30p.m. at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL.
"...And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand." – Irish Blessing