Obituary of Barbara K. Gillette

Niskayuna - Barbara Gillette, 93, died peacefully February 23, 2011, with her family at her side at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady. Born and raised in Pittsford, Vermont, she attended Rutland Business College. Barbara had a passion for playing the piano and organ, and studied in Middlebury, Williamstown, Syracuse, and Schenectady. She was secretary and accompanist in the music department at Middlebury College, where she met her husband, Edwin Gillette, to whom she was happily married for 69 years. Barbara was a piano teacher and organist for many years in Schenectady, notably at Emmanuel Baptist Church. She also accompanied many local singers and instrumentalists, and was a long standing member of the Etude Club. Barbara was predeceased by her mother and father Amarilla and Walter Kitson of Pittsford, Vermont, her two sisters, Christine Owen and Fannie Whitenack, and her brother Fletcher Jones. Barbara is survived by her husband, Edwin Gillette, and her two sons and their wives Stephen and Helga Gillette of Simi Valley, California and Michael and Ann Gillette of Tenafly, New Jersey. She also leaves four grandchildren Lani Veler of McKinney, Texas, Christopher Gillette of Windsor Locks, Connecticut, Caitlin Gillette of New York City, and Lance Gillette of San Francisco, California, and eleven great grandchildren. A Requiem Mass will be celebrated at Saint George's Episcopal Church on North Ferry Street in Schenectady at 3:00 PM Sunday, February 27, 2011. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. Any donations can be made in her name at Saint George's Episcopal Church.