Mary Jane Tiller, 78, of Gulf Shores and Lake Charles, La. died peacefully Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013 at a local hospital with her family at her side.
A native of Hathaway, Mary Jane spent many years in the Lake Charles area, before falling in love with Gulf Shores.
She was a past member of the Chamber of Commerce in Gulf Shores and member of Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church.
She was a true ambassador, for Gulf Shores and recruited nearly everyone she met to come and visit her beloved island.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Fernest and Lorena Fruge Gillard; brother, Melvin Gillard; and a son, Steve Tiller.
Those left to honor and cherish her memory are her companion of 16 years, Norman Heyd of Lake Charles; two daughters, Pepi Tiller-Webster and husband Paul of Biloxi, Miss. and Stephanie Mixon and husband Tim of Moss Bluff; child of the heart, Erik Heyd and wife Melissa of DeRidder; grandchildren, Nichlas D. Manuel of Gulf Shores and Nikki Mixon and Matthew Mixon, both of Moss Bluff; grandchildren of the heart, Laura and Christian Heyd of DeRidder; siblings, Anna Langley, Elton, Joyce Marcantel and Butch Gillard, both of Kinder, Brenda Knoles of Lake Charles and Mona Guidry of Gueydan; as well as a host of nieces, nephews and extended family.
Visitation will be on Monday, Nov. 25, 2013 at Johnson Funeral Home, from 4 to 8 p.m., with a Rosary to be recited at 6. Visitation will continue from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Mass of Christian Burial will be observed on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013, at 11 a.m., at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, with Monsignor Ronald Groth serving as the celebrant.
A private interment will be held at a later date at her family cemetery, Bertrand Cemetery in Hathaway, La.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials may be made in Janie’s memory to The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements by Johnson Funeral Home, Lake Charles, La.
