Trummel V. Gill, teacher and artist, dies at 98
TRUMMELL V. GILL was a teacher who taught not only students, but also teachers. A multitalented woman - author, columnist, radio hostess and artist - Trummell died Friday at age 98. She was living in Satellite Beach, Fla., but was a longtime resident of South Philadelphia.
TRUMMELL V. GILL was a teacher who taught not only students, but also teachers.
A multitalented woman - author, columnist, radio hostess and artist - Trummell died Friday at age 98. She was living in Satellite Beach, Fla., but was a longtime resident of South Philadelphia.
She started her teaching career at the old Arnold Elementary School in North Philadelphia, and then transferred to the George Washington Carver School.
Trummell was a teacher of teachers, training newly appointed teachers to become better at their profession. She conducted seminars and summer workshops, as well as in-service courses for experienced teachers.
She also served as a demonstration teacher, and later a mathematics resource teacher at the Masterman School, from which she retired in 1972.
In addition to her teaching, she wrote a column for the Philadelphia Tribune and had her own show, "Ladies First," on the former WTEL, (860-AM).
Trummell also was an author or co-author of books for children, as well as romance novels and mathematics texts. She loved to paint and pursued the hobby even after she had a stroke in 2002.
She was a native of South Philadelphia and a graduate of Girls High School when it was called the Normal School.
She also studied at Temple University, Webster College in St. Louis, Mo., and Syracuse University. She was married to the late Dudley W. Gill. They moved to Florida after their retirement.
"She considered her life a joyous adventure," said her niece, Trummell Valdera. "One could truly say that she lived daily the saying, 'Life is not measured by the breath we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.'
"I'm named after her, but I could never fill her shoes. We were so proud of her."
Trummell Gill's husband of 17 years died in 1989. She is survived by a stepdaughter, Patricia Gill, and two stepsons, Dudley and Gregory Gill.
Services: Memorial service at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Kennedy House Community Room, 1901 John F. Kennedy Blvd. Her remains will be buried with her husband's in the cemetery of St. David's by the Sea Episcopal Church, Cocoa Beach, Fla.
