Gillian Peitzmeyer (also known as “Jill,” “The Knitting Queen” and “The Tax Lady”), 85, passed away peacefully at her home of 41 years in St. Marys on Nov. 29, 2021.
She was born to the late William and Mabel Tuffnell in Braintree, Essex, England, in 1936.
After graduating from school, she worked at the post office, a textile factory, and a local pub. She lived there until the day that she boarded a ship sailing to the Americas in 1962. She came to reside in California and worked at a bank in San Francisco.
In 1966, she was set up on a blind date with Kenneth D. Peitzmeyer, only to find out it was
fate, as they were soulmates. After just six months of dating, they were married in Vallejo, California. Now
being the wife of a Navy man, she would soon be off to Honolulu, Hawaii, to live and give birth to her two
children, William “Bill” in 1970 and Kimberly in 1974.
The family was then stationed in Guam twice, California, Georgia, Connecticut and back to Georgia when her husband retired as a lieutenant commander after 30 years of service. She resided in St. Marys and this was where she would last call her home.
During those years, her career was in the banking profession until she found her true calling in life,
income taxes. She loved her job, but she loved the social interaction even more. She taught income tax
preparation school for many years to upcoming preparers during the off-season. She had some clients
that stayed with her for over 20 years, mailing in their tax information from across the world every year
for her to complete for them.
She was also a resolute member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Chapter XI Gamma Psi for many years. They served this local community in numerous ways and enjoyed being a part of this sisterhood. As for a hobby, there was one thing she was known for and that was knitting. As a child in England, students were required to take knitting as a taught skill. It was something some would say that she mastered it. She would knit baby afghans with matching caps/bonnets for baby shower gifts. People began requesting and purchasing them from her and before long she was known throughout town for this talent of hers. Then many years later after the requests lessened and she retired from working, she learned of a certain group of people that were in need of lap blankets. She started making them and donated them to the Veterans Hospitals in Dublin and Lake City, Florida. She would fill up big tubs and give them to the VFW 8385 in Kingsland, GA to be taken to the hospitals during visits. She was a lifetime member of the Ladies Auxiliary at VFW 8385 and this was how she contributed
her time.
It can honestly be said that she enjoyed making each and every single one of those blankets
and they were made with love. She never left home without her knitting bag, it always accompanied her
to doctor visits, appointments, and car travels; it was literally her second purse.
One of her greatest moments in life was when she became a Nana 17 years ago. She absolutely adored her only grandchild, Jake. She was so proud of his accomplishments and the young man he was becoming. She
always said that he inherited the love for math from her. They were two peas in a pod and inseparable
from day one. Their bond was like no other, as in her later dementia years, it was only him that she
would listen to. Her eyes would light up when he walked into the room.
She was such a sarcastic person and always loved to make others laugh. If you had the pleasure of knowing her, deem yourself a lucky person as she loved everyone and just wanted to see you smiling. She will be greatly missed by so many friends and family. We are truly grateful for the time that she was in our lives and the lifetime of memories she left us with to look back upon and smile.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Mabel Tuffnell of England; her two brothers, Terry and Tony Tufnell of England; her sister, Jackie (Tuffnell) Gilley of Destin, Florida; and just four months ago, her one and only son, William "Bill" Peitzmeyer.
Survivors include her loving husband of 55 years that never left her side until her very last breath, Kenneth Peitzmeyer; her only daughter, Kimberly (Peitzmeyer) Simpson; son-in-law, Bryan Simpson (granddaughters, Heather and Ashlee Simpson); her only biological grandchild, Jake Simpson; her two other sisters, Viv (Joe) Stevenson and Jo (Gary) Newman; along with many nieces and nephews.
A private inurnment will be held in Oak Grove Cemetery in St. Marys.
Allison Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.