Suzanne Scollard Gill Tomlinson

Suzanne Scollard Gill Tomlinson passed away August 8, 2023 in Jacksonville after a period of declining health. Born June 26, 1932 (Jacksonville), Suzanne was the wife of the late Col. William Holmes Tomlinson and the daughter of the late Dr. Paul Thomas Scollard and Fannie May (Snyder) Scollard. Her maternal ancestors, the Maxwells, settled territorial Florida in Leon County in the 1830s. She was also a descendant of Colonial and Revolutionary War officers, William Maxwell of GA, Governor (General) John Sevier of TN, and Captain Joseph Foster of MA.

Growing up in Venetia, Suzanne attended local schools with the exception of three years (1943-1946) during which her father served as Major in the U.S. Army Dental Corps at Camp Croft, SC. A graduate of Robert E. Lee High School (1949), Hollins University (BA 1953), and Florida State University (MS 1975), she entered the teaching profession at Lake Shore Junior High School (1964) and Episcopal School of Jacksonville (1967). In 1970, Suzanne began her 24-year tenure on the staff of Riverside Presbyterian Day School (RPDS), first as a teacher, then as Admissions Director. From 1978 until her retirement in 1994, she was Head of School. During her years at RPDS, the school achieved accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. It also achieved a reputation for both academic excellence and the professionalism of its faculty among member schools of the Florida Council of Independent Schools and the National Association of Independent Schools.

A person of diverse interests, Suzanne’s greatest joy was spending time with her family, especially at her river house in Green Cove Springs built by her father in 1949. “Crosswinds” was the special place she shared with many friends and family members over more than 60 years. Suzanne served as Elder, Trustee, and Stephen Minister of Riverside Presbyterian Church; was a past Vice President of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America (State of FL); and was active in the latter organization’s efforts to preserve and maintain the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum in St. Augustine. She and husband Bill enjoyed travel in the US and UK in pursuit of their interests in history and genealogy research. Suzanne was active in a number of local historical, heritage, and educational organizations.

Suzanne is survived by daughter Katherine Jane Gill (NC) and her sons, Roland Gill (ME) and Aaron Gill (MA); daughter Gina Suzanne Gill of MA (Ed Greco deceased) and her children, Maxwell Hill (Frederique) of MA and Sophia Greco (NC). Other survivors are stepson, Major William P. Tomlinson of Jacksonville; two stepdaughters Jane T. Brightbill (David) of Tallahassee and their children, Amanda Brightbill-Antonmattei (Jose) of Maui and Joseph Brightbill of Tallahassee; and Lucy T. Wallace (Del) of Jacksonville and their sons, Nathaniel and Jonathan Wallace (Ari) both of Jacksonville. She is survived by several great grandchildren.

The family requests that donations be sent to the Riverside Presbyterian Church (Jax); or to the Tomlinson Professional Development Fund at Riverside Presbyterian Day School (830 Oak Street); or to a charity of your choice.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held for Suzanne on Friday October 20th, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Riverside Presbyterian Church. Please join the family afterwards in Bittinger Hall adjacent to the church for visiting and refreshments. A private family burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery (Jacksonville) prior to that date.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hgriversidefuneralhome.com for the Tomlinson family.