Roberta Gille

Roberta Ann Stiles Gille "Bobbie Ann", was the oldest of thirteen children born to James R. and Margaret Anita (Dalton) Stiles on September 13, 1942 in Rockford, passed away on October 15, 2017 at Presence Saint Anne Center.
She married Robert J. "Bob" Gille on July 13, 1993 in Las Vegas. Their marriage was blessed by Bishop Wirtz on May 10, 1996 at St. Patrick Church in Madison, Wl.
She graduated from St. James School in 1956 and from Muldoon High School in 1960. In September of 1960, she entered the Dominican Congregation of the Most Holy Rosary where she took vows, graduated with a B.A. in French, and was sent to St. Dennis, Madison Wl to teach second grade. Roberta earned her M.A at Rockford University, and completed 90 hours of graduate work at NIU towards her doctorate in Educational Administration.
In 1967, Roberta, left the Dominican Order and returned home to Rockford. She began her teaching career at McIntosh School and stayed for 12 years teaching all grades. She became the Coordinator of the TALK Program and traveled to 37 states teaching teachers how to use the program. In 1985 she was named principal of Ellis School, then Martin Luther King, and finally Nashold school.
She retired from Rockford Public Schools in 2000 but remained another year to co-principal Marsh School. In 2001, Roberta was hired as the principal of St. Bridget School in Loves Park until 2009. She continued to sub as a teacher in the Catholic schools and principal in Rockford Public schools. After doing what she loved most in life, teaching for 48 years she was forced to retire because of illness. In those years she also taught at Rockford University summer school Math Education, was a curriculum writer and gave numerous presentations and workshops.
She was a lifelong member of St. James Church less the eighteen years, she belonged to the Cathedral of St. Peter. She was a lector, Eucharistic Minister, Sacristan, and served on both schools' Education Commissions as well as the Diocesan Commission of Education, the Area Education Commission and Area Religious Education Commission. She held elected offices on each of these commissions. She belonged to St. James Altar and Rosary Society, Caritas, and Catholic Woman's League.
She was a member of Beta Gamma Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Phi Beta Kappa, Illinois Women Administrators, Rockford Principals' Association, NEA, REA, IEA, American Association for Curriculum and Supervision, Rock Valley Heritage Kiwanis,
Sinsinawa Dominican Associates (charter member) and Circle of Preachers.
Survivors include her husband, Bob, sisters and brothers, Mary Beth Hileman(Terry), Anna, IL, Kathleen Carlson, Jane Simms(W. Timothy), Rockton, James R. Stiles (Sherry), Pueblo West, CO, Maggie Yates (Steve), Loves Park, John Stiles, Rockford, Lori Cass (Larry), Roscoe,
Chuck Stiles (Mary), Oconomowoc, Wl, Lou Stiles (Beth), Pooler, GA, Tom Stiles(Jody), Machesney Park, and Julie (Kris) Downey, Rockford. She is also survived by 22 nieces and nephews, 17 great nieces and nephews, and 1 great, great nephew. She is also survived by her best friends Tina Lotarski (70 years), Rosie Mastroianni, Susie Walker, and Jan Pawlus (60 years).
Predeceased by her parents, sister Sally Stiles, brother in law David Carlson and great niece Anita Constance Stiles.
Mass will be 11 a.m. Thursday, October 19, 2017 at St. James Catholic Church 428 N 2nd St, Rockford, IL 61107. Visitation Wednesday from 5 – 7:30 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 3910 N. Rockton Ave., Rockford, IL 61103 and from 10 a.m. until time of mass on Thursday at church. Burial at St. Mary/St. James Cemetery. Memorial to St. James Catholic Church or Cornucopia Food Pantry. Arrangements by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory. – Send online condolence at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.