Obituary of Jillian L. Pelling

Jillian Breding Pelling, age 81, of Stuart, Florida, and Iowa City, Iowa, died peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, May 19, 2009, following a long and courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, May 22, 2009, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. Burial will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Iowa City. Visitation will start at 11:30 a.m. Friday until service time. There will be a reception for Jill’s family and friends at the family home @ 2617 Bluffwood Circle in Iowa City following the services at the cemetery. Memorial donations can be made in Jill’s memory to Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center c/o University of Iowa Foundation @ 1 West Park Road, Iowa City, IA 52246. Online condolences may be sent for Jill’s family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Jillian was born on June 22, 1927 in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of Ralph and Linnea Breding. She graduated from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, was a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority, and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education in 1949. It was there that she met her husband, Lloyd Pelling. They were married on June 17, 1950 at Christ Church of Cranbrook in Detroit, Michigan. After settling in Chicago, Jillian taught elementary school in Glencoe, Illinois. They welcomed the birth of their first two children, Jill Christine and Victoria Gail, after which they moved to Iowa City in 1954. Their third daughter, Karen Marie, was born in October, 1959. Jillian was a devoted mother as well as an invaluable partner to her husband, Lloyd, as he developed the asphalt paving and construction company, L.L. Pelling Company. Jillian worked for many years managing the L.L. Pelling Leasing Corporation. She will always be remembered as a fabulous cook and gracious hostess, who created a warm and welcoming home for friends and family. After retiring to Stuart, Florida, Jillian and Lloyd enjoyed boating, fishing and traveling with family and life-long friends.