Barbara Elaine Gillies

Barbara Elaine Gillies, 73, of Monticello, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 11, 2023, surrounded by her family.

She was born on July 26, 1949 in Hammond, Indiana to the late Russell B. and Anne M. (LaGrange) Alyea. On March 17, 2013 she married James Gillies at St. Peter-in-Chains Catholic Church in Ardrossan, Ayrsihre, Scotland. He survives in Monticello.

Barbara was a graduate of Hammond Tech High School and attended Aristotle College also of Hammond where she earned her certification in bookkeeping and medical billing. Barbara first prided herself as a homemaker followed by working as a waitress, photographer, office manager, and bookkeeper in medical records and in billing for various businesses including her husband's critical railway safety consultation business.

Barbara enjoyed genealogy and ancestry, crocheting, knitting, sewing her grandchildren's play clothing, crafting play items and creating games for her grandchildren, and playing the piano. She had recently learned to play the ukulele. All of Barbara's children and grandchildren play instruments. She was proud of her musical family. Barbara was also a gifted poet, creatively writing poems most all of her life, from receiving an award in Indianapolis while in elementary school to being published online in recent years. Barbara was an independent, strong-willed and a true do-it-yourself person that could do anything. The word can’t, was never a part of her vocabulary.

She was a passionate woman of faith and a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Reynolds.

In addition to her husband, James Patrick Gillies, she is survived by her children, Aram Jordan of Grand Rivers, KY, Andrinic (Heather) Jordan of Brookston, Karen (David) Jones- Hockstra of Lafayette; stepson, James David (Angela) Gillies of Ardrossan, Ayrshire, Scotland; siblings, Richard Alyea of Hammond, Terry Alyea of Dyer, Bonnie Taylor of Hammond; grandchildren, Matthew (wife Abby) of Battleground, Rachel, Hadassah, John, Abigail, Tabitha, and James Jordan all of Brookston.

She was also preceded in death by a sister, Janet Manka and infant brother, Leslie Alyea.

Private family graveside services were celebrated on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 in Chalmers Cemetery with Rev. Andy Byrn of The Upper Room Christian Fellowship of West Lafayette.

Springer-Voorhis-Draper Funeral Home of Monticello is entrusted with care.

Friends and family are encouraged to share a photo, a memory, or messages of condolence at www.springervoorhisdraper.com