Dear Linda, Family and Friends:  I write this letter with a broken heart that we have lost such a sweet, fun, ornery, straight up honest and just my darn good friend.  I could always depend on you for an amazing and factual conversation but always light hearted and we could joust for hours even to argue just to argue cause it was fun!  I will miss our chats and down to earth talks about anything we wanted to discuss.  I was not and still am not ready to say goodbye to you lady, but God needed an Angel and he took you to be in Heaven.  I am so glad we were able to see you just before you left us but that will never replace being able to walk across the street and get a hug or just a good laugh and cocktail. 

Linda, I promise to be here for ANYTHING that Victor needs but most of all, he’s my bestest friend and you live on through him to me.  

I love you Linda Gillett, in God’s hands you live on.

Terry Fitch (Fitzy)

Some people leave an imprint so deep that even after they're gone, their love lingers like the scent of something wonderful baking in the oven.  My Mom was one of those people.  Patient and loving, yet bold and quick-witted, she made everyone laugh and feel special.  To know her was to love her.  

She had a gift for creating beauty whether it was in her gourmet cooking, the warmth of our home, or the way she brought people together.  She taught me the joy of playing games like Phase 10, Cribbage, and Backgammon, and those moments will always stay with me.  

When I was learning to drive, she didn't just teach me... she made sure I learned.  Mom set up loud metal trash cans as my parallel parking challenge.  One wrong move, and the entire neighborhood would hear!  Embarrassing?  Yes.  Effective?  Absolutely.  That was my Mom.  Teaching with love, humor, and just the right amount of mischief.  

But her greatest gift to me was her unwavering love.  When I came out as gay at 22, she was the first family member I told.  She met my words with grace and unconditional support, helping to ease my family into the news.  In a moment when I feared rejection, she gave me acceptance.  

She and Dad were always in my corner, cheering me on through sports, clubs, and everything I pursued.  They believed in me even when I doubted myself, always reminding me to give my best and trust the journey ahead.  

Now that she's gone, the world feels quieter, like a song missing its most beautiful note.  But I know she's still here in spirit.  In the laughter of a well-timed joke, the smell of a home cooked meal, the shuffle of a deck of cards.  She lives on in my heart, in the lessons she taught, and in the love she gave so freely.  

I will miss her every day.  But I am endlessly grateful that God gave me the gift of being her child.  I know she's watching over us, her spirit as bold and beautiful as ever... our guardian angel.

To the Gillett family, I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. Linda was a bright light and every time I saw Linda, she treated me like family. I am grateful that I got to see her at AliAnns baby shower. Her humor and love for her family always present. I still make Linda’s stuffing recipe ,passed down from Traci, that has become a request of my family now. And Linda never let me forget the time I passed out in their driveway…I can’t drive by that house in La Jolla without sharing that story.  She left too soon, but so many beautiful memories will live on as I see with her entire family. Sending my deepest condolences and most giant hugs to all of you ❤️

Dear Mom,
 
This has been such a difficult last week. But I will be forever grateful to have been with you and to have held your hand when we all said goodbye. Just the night before, you were sitting up and saying a few words to us. I will never forget you little hand holding that small cup of ice cream and watching how much you enjoyed every bit. How is it possible that you left so quickly. There were so many things that we had planned to do.  It’s hard not to feel that you  were taken from us so abruptly and unfairly. I was not ready to say goodbye to you.
 
We had so many wonderful memories. You kept the family together always. The holidays, dinners, your amazing cooking, other celebrations, weddings, baby showers, kids birthday parties. Everything for the family. Dad misses you so much. We all miss you. I don’t know if any of us know what to do yet or how to really move forward. It feels like a whirlwind of so many emotions. Good and very sad.
 
I promised you the day you had taken your last breath that I will always keep your memory alive and keep the family together. I know how important that was to you. I promised you that I will watch over dad. And I will keep that promise.
 
Mom, thank you for everything that you have done for us. For your big heart. You were so giving and loving. I am going to miss our long conversations, and your advice. You were my one person that I could call and  open up to. I am going to miss hearing, “ what’s going on in your love life.” I will miss your jokes and your larger than life humor.
 
I know you are with God now. I know you are not suffering anymore or in pain. That brings me comfort in knowing that. I know in my heart that you can hear me when I talk to you and I know you will watch over each one of us. Please give dad a sign so he knows you are with him always. He really needs that. We all love you so much and miss you more than we can express. I love you!!

Oh, how my heart aches with the weight of your absence, Mom. I can hardly believe you are truly gone. The void you’ve left behind is immense, and every moment feels heavier without your guiding presence. As I have promised, I will take care of Dad.

Your unwavering love has been a sanctuary for me, it has been a light which guided me through life’s darkest moments. You poured out grace, always forgiving, always nurturing. Your laughter filled our home with warmth and joy.

Every conversation, every shared meal was infused with your spirit—a beautiful testament to the amazing mother you were. I am grateful beyond words for the love you bestowed upon me, for the lessons learned and the laughter shared. The conversations we would have while sipping and eating your famous Bloody Mary will forever be one of my favorite past times with you. 

Even though you have left this earthly realm, your essence and teachings will forever resonate within me. I hold no regrets; I know you felt the depth of my love for you. I would have moved mountains to see you smile, to make you proud. 

Thank you for being my greatest supporter. I will honor your memory by living with the same love, kindness, and grace that you embodied. You are missed beyond measure, Mom.  I find solace in the precious time we shared—a gift I will forever treasure. I love you.

Dear Grandma,

I miss you deeply. The world feels a little emptier without you here, but I take comfort in the beautiful memories we created together over the years.

I’ll always remember the times we spent planting flowers in your garden and the joy of watching them grow just like the love you so generously shared with all of us. I’ll never forget how every time I would go to your house you would always have M&M’s for me. Boy, those were delicious!

And who could forget the trips we took to Disneyland? Those were some of the happiest memories that I’ll cherish forever. I also have fond memories of the Charger’s football games we’d go to, where your energy and spirit made every game feel like a celebration.

Thank you, Grandma, for always supporting me, for being there during the big moments of my life—like my wedding, college graduation, and even my baby shower. Your presence and love meant everything to me, and I’m so grateful. 

Though you’re no longer here with us physically, I find peace knowing that one day we’ll be reunited. I imagine us planting flowers together again, just like we did before, only this time in heaven. Maybe we’ll even have some M&M’s with us as we plant, laughing and catching up like no time has passed.

I miss you so much, Grandma. You will always hold a special place in my heart, and I look forward to the day we meet again.

With all my love,

Ali Ann

Mom, you were a remarkable woman who spoke truth and radiated love for your family in every moment. Your ability to forgive under any circumstance was truly inspiring. I will always cherish the laughter we shared, fueled by your sassy demeanor that brought joy to our lives. 

Your cooking was nothing short of magical—the way you crafted meals, especially those killer Bloody Mary’s, is something I'll forever admire. I loved how you would walk me through your treasured recipes over the phone, allowing me to recreate the warmth and love you put into every dish. 

I am going to miss our heartfelt conversations and the time spent in your kitchen, where every meal was a lesson in love, care, and clean up :). After more than 30 years as my mother-in-law, I gained not only a beloved family member but also another mother who embraced me with unconditional love. 

Thank you for everything, Mom. Your memory will live on in my heart, and I will carry your spirit with me always. You are deeply missed. Until we are together again, I send you a BIG Hug.

OBITUARY

Linda Gillett

October 2, 1947 – March 5, 2025

Miller Jones Mortuary and Crematory

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