Suzanne T. Gillman

Suzanne Turnbull Gillman, age 88, died Wednesday morning at her home, following a five-month battle with lung cancer. Born in Saginaw and a proud Michigander, she attended Michigan State and worked in social services and education until she retired in 1999. She and her husband, Robert Harry Gillman, who preceded her in death in 1980, moved their young children from Saginaw to Cincinnati in 1970 with a job transfer from American Bakeries. They purchased an old farmhouse in College Hill, where they raised three children who survive them: Thomas Marshall Gillman, John Garner Gillman (Jennifer) and Sarah Turnbull Giolando (Reid Matlin). Sue and Bob both thrived on building strong relationships with neighbors and created a loving community family here in Cincinnati.

She became an avid Cincinnati Reds fan after moving to Ohio and watched nearly every game on TV. She and her son, Tom, watched the Reds beat the Tigers to inch closer to the post-season this past Tuesday night.

Known for being easy to talk to, she was the confidant of many and confidently spoke her mind. She savored family history and collected many sentimental antiques that each held a treasured memory for her – she loved to share those memories with her children, grandchildren or even an occasional home health aide!

She leaves behind six beloved grandchildren with whom she cherished spending time: Aaron Gillman, Noah Gillman, Brayden Matlin, Salvatore Giolando III, Sophia Giolando and Sabrina Giolando. One of her favorite times with her family was Christmas, where she would host a lasagna dinner every Christmas Eve for whoever needed a place to go and a Christmas morning brunch that will always be one of our favorite memories.

Sue loved everything about Michigan, from the Wolverines to pine trees to the beautiful lakes Up North. She would look forward to an annual lake trip to with her son, Tom, and anyone else that would join. Missing that trip this year was devastating to her, as was losing much of her independence due to illness.

Her absence will leave a hole in our family, even as we are consoled by the knowledge that she is at last at peace and joins so many friends and family members that have passed before her, including her sister and brother-in-law, Mary Ellen and Frank Kane and her mother and father, Helen and Stanley Turnbull.

Visitation will take place Sunday, September 17 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1553 Kinney Avenue, Mt. Healthy, Ohio, from 4:00-5:30pm, with a service immediately following. Friends and family members can remember Sue through a donation to the House of Worship Stabilization Fund to help restore Trinity’s 170-year-old building at trinitycincy.org. Condolences can be posted online at Hodapp Funeral Homes.