Gillian Dirral (James) Twining

Gillian Dirral (James) Twining, was born on Jan. 1, 1941. Her father was Leonard James from Liverpool, England. Her served in the British Army and was killed during World War II on July 11, 1941. Her mother was Kathleen Ellen (Bailey) James, who was born on June 26, 1908, and died in Sukkur, Pakistan, on Sept. 23, 2000.

Gillian was born in India to British parents, but her father died soon after her birth when she was only 6 months old. She moved to England in 1946 with mother and sister, Jean Anne. She was educated in England. After completing her education she chose to become a police officer. She was a bobby, as she liked to call it from 1963-1969.

While working as a police officer in England she met Bob in 1968. They were later married in Durant, Okla., on April 28, 1969. They lived in Phoenix, Ariz., until Bob retired from the U.S. Air Force. After retiring they moved into the Tonto National Forest of Arizona. She lived life by helping Bob build their own home, raise their own meat, and learn how to garden organically. She learned to make everything from scratch, including making her own dog food. She enjoyed cross stitch and making things for loved ones.

In 1981 Gill moved to Priest River and developed a love/hate relationship with the weather. Summer she loved and winter she hated. Robert and Gillian adopted a son, Daniel. When Bob died in 2004, she chose to stay in Priest River as it had become her home. She learned to love the quiet life of reading, watching her English programs on PBS, and taking care of her four cats as well as her friends. She made a few close friends who became her Idaho family until the very end. She remained a British subject, but never returned to England, always saying “England has my heart, America has my soul.”

Gillian has cousins in England and Australia. In the United States she has a few nephews and nieces. Gillian tried to remain close to her five stepdaughters Louella, Bobbi, JoAnn, Judy, and Geraldine and their families. Her “adopted daughter” or “daughter she never got to have” was Trina Freddi (Burns). Gill often told people Trina was her family as well as her sons Nickolaus and Braden Burns. Trina’s mother, Jo Roberts, became her Friday taxi, lunch buddy, and confidante. Tom Lowe was her neighbor, close friend, and protector for many years. Her hairdresser, Kim Petek, also became a very dear friend. Other close friends included Pam Jacobe, Dirk and Mary Bluhm, and Dan and Marie Barney and their adopted daughter, Amanda.

Sherman-Campbell Funeral & Cremation Services in Priest River is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book at shermancampbell.com.