[Nfbmo] Gretchen Gilles

[Debbie Wunder]

to    THANKS     Gail for sending this. The chapter is donating $25 to 
Wolfner Friends in memory of her.

I liked her very much, she was always good to me and had a wonderful sense 
of humor.

I hope you are doing well, we have not seen you for a while.

Deb
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gail Bryant" <gbryant at socket.net>
To: "'NFB of Missouri Mailing List'" <nfbmo at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, July 28, 2013 6:24 PM
Subject: [Nfbmo] Gretchen Gilles


>
>
> Gretchen Gilles (née Traubitz) passed away of natural causes  Wednesday, 
> May
> 29, 2013 at Barnes Extended Care, Clayton, Missouri;  she was 86 years of
> age. Gretchen was born March 12, 1927 to Dr. and  Mrs. Arnold Traubitz at
> Leadwood. Missouri. She was the oldest of four  siblings, sisters 
> Evangeline
> and Cynthia, and a brother Arnold. Both  sisters preceded her in death.
>
> Challenged by cerebral palsy, Gretchen faced her difficulties with vigor
> and a certain sense of daring.  She graduated from the University of
> Missouri with a Bachelor's degree in 1947, and was employed by the 
> Missouri
> School for the Blind in St. Louis where she served with distinction for 42
> years as Librarian and Spanish teacher. During summers. she studied at 
> Wayne
> State University and achieved a Master's Degree in Library Science.
>
> During her tenure, she received numerous awards, and upon her retirement 
> in
> 1989. received the  Merit of Honor as Handicapped State Employee of the
> Year. Her greatest passion, however. was  The Closeup Foundation where she
> accompanied students from the school to Washington, D.C.  touring the 
> halls
> of power, but, most important, the Library of Congress. She was honored by
> the  foundation with profound gratitude.  "Your leadership in advancing
> civic literacy has made a  difference."
>
> Following her retirement, she served on several committees, frequently
> traveling to  Jefferson City to continue her support for the Wolfner 
> Library
> education for the blind.
>
> Gretchen  married Wilbur Gilles in December of 1958. Mr. Gilles was 
> employed
> at the School for  the Blind as a history teacher. He preceded Gretchen in
> death in July, 1986. Gretchen's generosity  knew no bounds, and as a last
> act of kindness, donated her remains to the medical school at  Washington
> University in St. Louis.
>
> Gretchen is survived by her brother, Arnold Traubitz, Jr. of St. Louis,
> nephews Scott Traubitz, Steve  Traubitz; nieces Melanie Genbauffe, 
> Stephanie
> Flierjans, Kim Bowen, and fourteen great-nieces and  nephews.
>
>
>
>
>
> Gail Bryant
>
> Columbia Braille Teaching Services L.L.C.
>
> 1212 London Drive
>
> Columbia, MO 65203-2012
>
> Phone: (573)817-5993
>
> Cell: (573)268-4962
>
> gbryant at socket.net
>
>
>
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