Jane (Simmons) Gilfillan

Jane Simmons Gilfillan, age 71, passed away peacefully on March 5th, 2026, surrounded by family at her home in Leland, North Carolina.

Jane was born on December 17, 1954, to Mary and Paul Simmons in Dayton, Ohio. The fourth of six children in a household that famously shared a single bathroom, she learned patience at an early age - a virtue that would become one of her most enduring and admired traits. She displayed an exceptional curiosity and intellect, along with a natural talent for math and science. Her sharp mind, love of learning, and thoughtful approach to problem solving remained defining features of her character throughout her life.

She graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio with a B.S in medical laboratory science and worked as a medical technician at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. It was there, in 1979, that she met her future husband, W. Jeff Gilfillan. While it was Jeff’s dimples that first caught Jane’s attention, it was his infectious sense of humor and the warmth he brought to every room that convinced her she had met the man she would spend her life with. The two were married the following year.

After relocating to Sherrard, Illinois, Jane and Jeff welcomed their first son, Jeffrey, in 1983, followed by Johnston in 1986. In the lakeside community of Fyre Lake, Jane raised her boys amid the steady stream of friends who devoured endless batches of her legendary “dip” and came to think of the Gilfillan house as a second home. She had a rare ability to make young people feel welcome and accepted, embracing their quirks, rolling her eyes at their antics, and giving them just enough freedom to test their limits.

Jane pursued a wide range of interests and excelled at whatever she set her mind to. She had a gift for teaching herself new skills, patiently researching and working through problems until she could make or repair whatever was needed. She became a trusted source of advice for family and friends and was often the first person they called when in need of guidance. She could fix almost anything, from a broken heart to a broken pipe. In ways both quiet and profound, she left a lasting mark on the lives of those who turned to her.

The family’s vacation home on Moose Pond in Bridgton, Maine was especially meaningful to Jane. She and Jeff hosted countless friends and family there over the years, filling the house with laughter, games, and shared meals. It was the setting for some of her happiest memories and where she felt most at peace.

Following decades of Illinois winters, Jane and Jeff moved to Leland, North Carolina in 2013, fulfilling Jane’s lifelong dream of living in a climate that was warm year-round. It was there that she met Alice Benazzi and Linda Malcolm, and the trio quickly became inseparable. Whether traveling the world or holding court at their local Panera, the three shared a deep and abiding friendship, built on unwavering loyalty, a shared sense of humor, and a profound love for one another.

The defining joy of Jane’s later years were her four grandchildren: Luca, Beaux, Hana, and Nico. During their annual summer trips to Sunset Beach, North Carolina, “Gigi” took them on countless ice cream runs, spent hours jumping in the waves, and indulged their imaginative play. Jane delighted in the individuality of her grandchildren - their humor, their sensitivities, and the singular ways they each moved through the world. The best of her now lives on in them.

Jane is survived by her husband, W. Jeff Gilfillan; her sons, Jeffrey Gilfillan and his wife, Julia Ruttner, and Johnston Gilfillan and his wife, Michelle Flores; her grandchildren, Luca, Beaux, Hana, and Nico; and her siblings, Lynne Henehan, Anne Simmons, Beth Simmons, and Paul Simmons.

Jane’s friends and family will gather privately to celebrate her life and honor the love she brought to theirs. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Healing Place of New Hanover County, a nonprofit supporting individuals struggling with addiction - a cause Jane held close to her heart. 

Online condolences are encouraged and may be sent to the family at www.fulwoodfuneralservice.com

Michael J Fulwood Funeral & Cremation Service