Obituary of Claire Gilless

Jean Claire (Goodman) Gilless, age 68 of Sunland, California, drew her final breath on February 22, 2025, while in the hospital in Pasadena, California. Claire had endured a valiant struggle with pancreatic cancer for three years. Claire was born on April 10, 1956, to Lawrence Goodman Jr. and Brenda (Noble) Goodman in Nashville, Tennessee. She was known for her ever-present glistening smile, her wonderfully kind nature, and her constant service to other people in all facets of her life. She loved everyone she ever met and did her best to make her world and theirs a better place. Claire is survived by her loving husband, Vance of almost 40 years; Sons Joshua and Aaron; Daughters-in-law Emma (Prunty) Gilless and Catalina (Reiter) Gilless; Sister Kathy Treybig; and one Grandson, Eugene Forest Gilless. Beautiful memories of her will live on with her Mother-in-law, Sarah Gilless; three sisters-in-law, Toni Gilless, Becky Gordon, and Felicia Hicks; two brothers-in-law, Ken Treybig and Glenn Gordon; as well as seven nieces and nephews; and nine grand nieces and nephews. She lived in Nashville until age 12 when she and her sister, Kathy, moved to Big Sandy, Texas to be with their father where she attended and graduated from Imperial Schools. While there, she played sports, played clarinet in the school band and was on the cheerleading team. She attended two years at Ambassador College in Big Sandy, then moved to Pasadena, California to finish her degree in psychology at the Ambassador sister campus in 1978. She worked in the college bookstore for eight years, becoming the manager after a time. When her sons began college, Claire started working as a personal assistant for two private firms in San Marino, CA, where she stayed until her health crisis began in 2022. On June 2, 1985, Claire and Vance were married and launched into an adventurous honeymoon that lasted until she died. She dedicated herself to her husband and sons believing that it was her responsibility to take care of them in every way she could. She homeschooled the boys through high school, spent many long hours guiding them towards becoming Eagle Scouts, and encouraging them as they finished college and started their own families. At different times, Claire enjoyed playing softball and racquetball. She loved hiking, cycling, and gardening. She was an avid reader—a lifelong hobby, and she really loved feeding people. Most recently, her greatest joy was playing with and doting on her grandson, the most delightful and wonderful blessing to her. Claire was also known for forever performing acts of service to her Church, the Boy Scouts of America, and the local Library Book Store. She made meals and coordinated meals for those in times of need, and she sent cards and words of encouragement to many people all over the world who were experiencing difficult times. At her chemotherapy sessions, Claire took cookies to the nurses who also fell in love with her. Claire’s enduring faith and the support from loved ones gave her much strength, hope and comfort as she walked through this greatest challenge of her life. Even in her last hours, she expressed her love for friends and family at the same time wanting to make sure that a gift she had prepared for a friend was going to be delivered. The family expresses deep gratitude for the outpouring of support and love that we have received during this difficult time. Our hearts are broken, but we are comforted by prayers, cards, and messages. Claire was truly the light that put the sparkle in everyone else’s diamonds. A private memorial service for Claire will be held on Saturday, April 5th. Sunday April 6th, a drop-in celebration-of-life reception will be held at the Gilless residence from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. All are invited to the drop-in. The address is 8752 Yates Street, Sunland, CA 91040. For the drop-in, dress is casual. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made in her name to Descanso Gardens, one of her favorite places where she and Vance spent hundreds of happy hours in recent years. Please include Vance’s address, the same as the drop in (mentioned above), along with your donation.