Gilda (Jill) De Meo, angel among us. The things listed here don’t come close to describing who she was.

Gilda was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. to Italian immigrant parents, and grew up in a neighborhood that embraced many cultures. She attended Washington Irving High School and was a gifted artist. Gilda studied at the Pratt Institute, Columbia University, and the Art Students’ League. She worked at Ideal Publishing Co., and drew for Movie Life Magazine.

Jill married her husband Sal of 74 years, and moved to Tuckahoe. A devout Catholic, she taught Christian doctrine at Immaculate Conception for 11 years. volunteered on the Village Assessment Review Board, and sold real estate for 33 years. More than this was her love for her family. She made her children clothes, brought them to sports games, cooked enough for everyone to have seconds and thirds, and turned the other cheek– all expressions of her Love. Her house was always open. Mom would wait at night on her cherished porch for all her children to return safely home.

Jill enjoyed gardening flowers and reading. She wrote memoirs through a class at the public library, and shared her grace, wit, wisdom, with all her loved ones. She also showed her love through food– whether it be Christmas Eve cookies and 7 fishes, Easter raisin bread, classic pound cake, or autumn apple pies. She felt pride and joy in a crowded table, and was always the last to finish eating.

Gilda is survived by her husband, WW2 veteran and retired Eastchester fireman Sebastian, 6 children– Steve (Donna), Robert, Chris (Barbara), Beth, John and Rich–, 9 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren, and her many wooden spoons.

Gilda dedicated her life to her family above all else. She was a blessing to us all.