[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 26 (Thursday, March 1, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E265]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN COMMEMORATION OF HELEN STIRLING GILL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETER DEUTSCH

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 1, 2001

  Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the lifetime achievements 
of one of Davie, Florida's most active and charitable volunteers. Helen 
Stirling Gill, daughter of Davie's first mayor Frank Stirling, died 
Saturday, February 17, 2001, at the age of 78. Mrs. Gill was an active 
philanthropist for several decades, giving countless hours of service 
to her community. She will be dearly missed by the city's residents.
  Born on July 10, 1922, in Gainesville, Mrs. Gill moved to Davie with 
her family in 1924, where her father was elected the town's first 
mayor. She married William ``Billie'' Gill in 1945, and the couple 
settled in Davie where they established their family business, Gill 
Realty.
  Charming and attractive, Mrs. Gill was chosen as a Davie Orange 
Blossom Queen in the early 1940's. Devoted to the joy which local 
pageantry brought to her community, Mrs. Gill continued to help with 
the Orange Blossom festivities throughout her life by organizing Orange 
Blossom bake sales and events for children. In recognition of Mrs. 
Gill's contribution to the town of Davie, the Davie Chamber of Commerce 
dedicated the 64th Orange Blossom Festival Parade held February 24, 
2001 to Mrs. Gill.
  Mrs. Gill was also a devoted member of the Davie United Methodist 
Church where she taught Sunday School and played the piano during 
church services. Always a generous caretaker of her community, she 
visited the sick and prepared many meals for church community dinners.
  In a collaborative effort with her husband and other Davie citizens, 
Mrs. Gill donated four acres for the creation of the Sheridan House for 
Girls in Southwest Ranches. The Sheridan House is a group home for 
girls and young women whose parents are unable to care for them. Mrs. 
Gill's generous contribution and care for those young women is 
testament to her kind spirit and love for her community. Indeed, Mr. 
Speaker, Helen Stirling Gill has left a lasting legacy for the people 
of Davie, Florida. She will be fondly remembered and dearly missed.

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