Obituary: Martha Lynn Gills, 42, of West Hartford

Information via Taylor & Modeen Funeral Home

Martha Lynn Gills, 42, of West Hartford, beloved daughter of William L. Gills III and Candace (Manner) Gills passed away Wednesday, April 24, 2019 after a long struggle with drug and alcohol addiction. Martha was born in Hartford and grew up in West Hartford.

She graduated from Hall High School where she performed in the premier choir at Hall with the Choraliers featured at the annual Madrigal Dinners and the Pop.s ‘n Jazz Shows and had a lead dramatic role in a school play. She and her dad used to love to sing together. She had a beautiful voice and could do harmony which came naturally to her. She spent a year after graduation on a cross country trip exploring, back packing and camping around the perimeter of the Continental United States. She was full of adventure and loved new experiences.

Martha later worked as an Insurance Adjuster for many years, but eventually her struggles with addiction took its toll. She continued to follow her dreams into a world she would thrive in; particularly art, design, music and dance. She took many art courses at Manchester Community College and taught dance at Arthur Murray. She will always be remembered as artistic, creative and a free spirit. She will be greatly missed by all those who knew her, because of her generosity, caring, compassion and sense of humor. She loved everyone she knew. There were no bounds.

In addition to her parents, Martha leaves her brother William L. Gills IV, his wife Julie M. Gills, and their children William L. Gills V and Kate M. Gills all of West Simsbury, her aunts, Constance Manner, Charlotte Graham, Cynthia Bushey and many cousins. She was recently predeceased by her uncle, Eric W. Manner. She died peacefully with her family by her side.

In celebration of Martha’s life, family and friends will be received on Wednesday, May 1 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Taylor & Modeen Funeral Home, 136 South Main St., West Hartford. A private graveside service will be held at Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to TWLOHA (To Write Love On her Arms).

For more information and to leave online condolences, visit Taylor & Modeen Funeral Home here.