Amy Gill – Faith, Family, Strength

Amy Gill

Strength. Faith. Family values. These were all part of Amy Lynn Gill who died January 30 at the age of 49.

She exhibited each of these qualities throughout her life, recognizing them as gifts from not only her parents but her grandparents as well.

Amy was part of a family that believes in togetherness, helping each other, laughing and enjoying life, but always doing something for others. She inherited so many of the characteristics of her maternal grandparents, the late Norma and Frank Bondy, and her paternal grandparents, the late Norton and Joan Smith of Atlantic Highlands.

But even more, she learned from the lessons and lifestyle of her parents, Dan and Judy Smith of Leonardo and was raised in an atmosphere of strong faith and an inherent desire to always be helping someone in need.

Amy Lynn Gill of Locust passed away January 30 after an eight-month battle with a rare form of cancer.

A memorial service will be held at Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown on Friday, February 9, from 4 to 8 p.m.  Her funeral will take place Saturday, February 10 at St. Agnes Church, Atlantic Highlands. A burial will follow immediately at Bayview Cemetery in Leonardo.

This is the fourth in a series that is being posted this week in VeniVidiScripto featuring stories of Amy’s life and the impact she had on all who knew her, as well as the lessons they have learned from the life she led.

Amy’s mother Judy was at weekday mass as usual the morning after Amy died, her unwavering faith carrying her through the pain of losing her daughter. However, she smiles broadly when describing Amy, one of the Smith’s four offspring, remembering her smile, her laugh, and all the trivial things that made her so perfect. There is so much about Amy that Judy will miss, and the ache will always be there. But it’s her hugs that the broken-hearted mom will miss the most.

Amy’s dad Dan said what he will miss the most is “Amy just walking in unannounced, and calling out Hiya, Dad!”  The proud father concedes that indeed, “She was a handful as a youngster,” but he’s quick to add, it wasn’t because she was bad…” just active, energetic, ready to take on anything and everything.”  She liked a fun time, he recalls, laughing, “she had lots of friends, loved parties, and liked going places and doing things.” But Dan chokes up a bit when asked what he has learned from his never stopping daughter.  Thinking a minute, he said, “I’ve learned how to forgive my kids, to be confident in them, to overlook what they do wrong.” Then he adds, softly and with certainty. “They’ll appreciate it.”

When Amy and Brian Gill married, it was another Judy, this time her mother-in-law. Judy Gill, who got to fall in love with Amy.  Preparing for the funeral, Judy remembers so many wonderful things about her daughter-in-law, and tries to sum it all up simply by saying she was “the perfect puzzle piece, she simply fit into the family and made it all perfect. She completed us.”  Judy said Amy always did everything well, whether it was helping others, playing crazy games, or caring for her family. “There was nothing not to love about her,” she said, a bit surprised anyone could think anything different. “She was just beautiful,” she said, in every way. “She was my go-to person for anything.”

Brian brought his teenage son Brian into his new family when he and Amy married, and Amy wrapped another Brian with her love and care as only Amy could do. Now married to Lauren, the couple have three children Decklyn, McKenna and their youngest son Owen, who was born August 31. Recalling Amy going to Riverview Hospital just so she could hold and cuddle her newest grandson right after he was born is one of the memories that helps the new father Brian assuage his grief over losing his stepmother. “She was just such a great grandma to both my daughters,” Brian said, “she was just a sweetheart. She was simply Mimi to the kids, the Mimi so full of love and happiness. She was always there to help us out. Both Lauren and I knew we could call on here at any time and she would be there.”

When Decklyn was in a Christmas play at St. Agnes School in December, Amy was there for her performance, in spite of her own weakness from the cancer she had been fighting for seven months. And Saturday, the day Amy’s funeral mass will be offered at St. Agnes, is also the same day Decklyn will be receiving the second sacrament of her life as she receives First Penance in the same church.

Amy’s siblings agree on Amy’s never ending store of love for everyone. Today they draw strength from their sister by sharing some of the stories of their youth, some of the impishness of a sister who always seemed to have everything under control. Her brothers Mark and DJ and her sister, Lisa can laugh even while mourning thinking of all they have shared not only in childhood but also as each married and raised children and expanded their families for another generation of children who will be surrounded with the same love that Amy always exuded. DJ and his wife Andrea, together with their children Elia, Nate and Cami, and Mark and his wife Terezia with their children Jackson, Lucas and Montana, as well as Amy’s sister Lisa and her son Julian all accept but grieve over the bright one in their midst who always knew the right thing to say and the best way to be not only a loving sister but a close friend to all.

DJ holds his younger sister Lisa’s hand as they volley back and forth with stories about the sister who always took charge, who always was boss, in spite of having two older brothers. Their words simply spill out when asked how Amy impacted their lives, both naming little occasions when Amy just knew the right thing to do and did it or gave the right advice when asked. They agree she was always the Go To person for everyone, a friend, relative, child in the classroom, or even a stranger.

Kind. Considerate. Loyal. Funny. Each one describes Amy Smith Gill to all of her family. But genuine says it best.

Read more stories on the life of this amazing woman, Amy Gill

Keep Going No Matter What

Be Like Amy

Amy The Teacher