Gillian Allen Koch was born in Bolton, England on October 31st,1964. She was an only child of Ken and Rhona Allen (Clearwater, FL), and the mother to her two daughters Tamara Tassillo (Clearwater, FL) and Megan Koch (Orlando, Fl). She passed away on October 29th, 2016.
Gillian was one of the most loving, self-less people you could ever meet. Her family was extremely important to her and she would go above and beyond what was expected for them. She carried this philosophy into her work. It became one of her greatest joys when she was able to help a student accomplish a task that they felt was unattainable. She wanted to achieve more and help others more by continuing her education and was in the process of obtaining her second Master’s degree in Educational Leadership at the University of South Florida.
In her spare time you could always find her with a book in her hand, or completing a puzzle on her laptop. She loved to cook Italian food and loved to eat Mexican food. Animals were also extremely special to her and once made a job out of this love. Disney was also a place of joy for her and Winnie the Pooh was her favorite character.
Gillian is survived by her loving parents Ken and Rhona Allen and her two daughters Tamara and Megan. As well as her son in law Thomas Tassillo and Megan’s significant other Rashad Florence who she looked at as another son in law. Gillian was a wonderful daughter, mother, niece, cousin and friend who will be dearly missed.
A service to celebrate Gillian’s life will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2016, 3:00 pm at the Unity of Palm Harbor Church located at 1960 Tampa Rd., Palm Harbor, Florida 34683.
Please accept our deepest sympathy. Our volunteers and staff enjoyed working with Gillian this year on the college and career fair at Pinellas Park High School and Countryside High School. She brought her professionalism and her love to help students succeed attitude to our committee and ultimately, to the student who attended the event.
Sincerely,
Jane J. Hussar
Countryside High School
Clearwater, Florida
Dear Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Gill and I were quite good friends when we both lived in Key Largo way back in the 90’s. I have wonderful memories of our families spending time together. Gill took my 2-yo during the day when I was on bed-rest with my second child. It was a beautiful kindness and just the way Gill was. We lost touch, but I never forgot her; she was a wonderful friend. I know she will be missed by all those whose hearts she touched. God bless you all!
My deepest condolences to the family members. Your mother was a lovely lady and I enjoyed working with her at your wedding. My family sends you prayers of comfort during this time.
Tamara,
So sorry to hear this news. Judging by you girls, she must have been a very special lady. I wish I had met her. May God bless your family and lift you up.
Tamara and Megan- Please accept my deepest and most ❤️felt sympathies for the passing of your wonderful mother. Please know that I am here for you both if you need anything. She is looking down and smiling as she must be so proud of you girls.
Oh my Tam!
My heart hurts for you and your whole family. It’s so hard to lose someone we love, but how great is it to know someone we love is in heaven. I’m always here for you. No matter how many miles apart.
Tamara and Megan,
I am so sorry! Your mom was such a great friend! She will be missed greatly! You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
I worked with Gillian for several years in the AVID program at Pinellas Park High. She never hesitated to offer assistance with paperwork or lesson plans. Our students have been thinking about her and her family this week. They say Mrs. Koch believed in them when others did not. Some said she helped them pass the required reading exam so they could graduate on time. Gillian always treated our students with kindness and respect. It was an honor to know her.
Ken and family
My deepest sympathy for your loss.
I am glad I had the pleasure of meeting Gillian a couple months ago at the career fair. Her smile was beautiful and she was so excited to be working with the children at her school.
I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Tammy/Alro
I am so saddened to hear of Gillian’s passing:( She is one special lady. Gillian is an amazing mom and has the two best daughters on the planet. I can hardly type. My prayers are with you all. Gillian would do anything for anybody at any time. I will miss her
Love Brian
It’s taken me awhile to try to find the words I wanted to say, as I am still numb and feel like this is just all a bad dream. Gill was my best friend & I will miss her.
We had known each other, since working together at a Veterinary clinic,in Key Largo, about 26 years ago. I have watched Tamara and Megan grow into the beautiful woman they are today and I also know Gill’s wonderful parents, Ken and Rhona. I know they will all miss Gill deeply & I give them all my sympathy.
Their family was like every family should be. Gill was not only a great Mother to her children and a great Daughter to her parents but she was also a great friend to them; as well as she was to me.
Gill and I were there for each other during difficult times in our lives. We were also there for each other during happy times in our lives.
When Gill divorced and moved from Key Largo, we always made a point of staying in touch by phone and would get together frequently. We shared lots of great times together & I will treasure those moments forever.
I had just spoken with Gill, a few days before she passed away. She was so happy about her upcoming graduation, the fact that Tamara was planning to further her education & that Megan had found a great job. I told Gill how proud I was of her & all her accomplishments. I also told her what a great Mom I thought she was & how she had done such a great job raising the girls. Gill thanked me for saying that and told me that my saying that meant a lot to her. I meant every word & I am so glad I had the opportunity to say it.
I never expected that phone conversation to be our last.
I take comfort in knowing that Gill is with the Lord in Heaven. More than likely she has a glass of wine in her hand. I imagine her smiling, as she looks down on all of us, thankful that we were all in her life & realizing how much she meant in ours. She will always be with us in spirit & Gill will never be forgotten.
I love you Gill…..Jane
I have shared many of my thoughts about Gillian and our very special friendship with her family. I do so wish I could have been there. WA and
Finishing previous thought. I obviously hit the wrong button. Gill was one of those once in a lifetime friends. Your loss is huge and I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers. Gill will always be watching from heaven and I love the picture of her with a glass of wine in her hand toasting all our accomplishments and shaking her head and smiling when we struggle a bit with all that life throws at us. She took a piece of my heart with her. I miss you already my beautiful friend. Rest In Peace and I will see you again some day. Love – Colleen
I attended school with Gill in England. She was a most loyal and sympathetic friend, always willing to put herself out to help her peers.
When Gillian moved to America, we kept in touch, sharing an annual Christmas letter (usually LONG!) with that year’s news and a gift. Gillian particularly enjoyed proper English chocolate!
When she came over to England around 1993, she popped in for a catch up and that was the last time I saw her; but her newsy letters were lovely to receive. She always let me know about Tamara and Megan and she was clearly so proud of themm
I was surprised to not hear from her in 2016 and again this year but assumes the dreadful flooding had affected her.
So it came as a shock to receive an email today from Gillian’s father.
Memories of eating cheese and onion pasties, sitting outside the Co-op by the bus station in Bury, of her 18th birthday where we tried sherry and rosé wine and declared both “rank” & the many comforting hugs when boy issues occurred.
Much love to all the family she leaves behind.