Obituary of Jill Schaab Gaskins

February 9, 1936 – October 11, 2024

Jill Gaskins, 88, of Mount Airy, NC, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 11, 2024, at Parker at Landing Lane in New Brunswick, NJ, surrounded by her loving family. Born on February 9, 1936, in Paterson, NJ, to Walter Schaab and Grace Atkinson. Jill lived a life marked by resilience, perseverance, humor, and an ever-present kindness and generosity that touched all who knew her.

At the age of 15, while living and attending school in Greenwood Lake, NJ, tragedy struck when Jill lost her mother. In the aftermath, she relocated to Keyport, NJ, where she graduated from high school. It was there that Jill met the love of her life, Edward Harold Gaskins. They were married in 1958 with a celebration following at Edward’s father’s home in Wickatunk, NJ. Together they embarked on a beautiful journey that lasted over six decades.

Jill began her professional career as a secretary at RCA in Somerville, NJ, before taking time off to raise her two beloved daughters, Cindy and Sherry, in Lambertville, NJ. Once her daughters entered school, Jill returned to work as a waitress in several fine restaurants in the area. Jill and her husband told many stories about their weekend adventures working nights as a team at the New Hope Diner.

Jill’s entrepreneurial spirit was always evident as she worked to help support her family. She started her own business, “The North Carolina Sockman”, selling “things she liked”: high-quality socks, warm woolen clothing, beautiful afghans, lace table coverings, and jewelry at in-home gatherings. In the winter, "The North Carolina Sockman" (Jill) traveled in her minivan from North Carolina to New Jersey’s horse racing track in Freehold, NJ, where she sold warm socks and insulated undergarments to the stable workers and anyone she met who looked chilly! North Carolina was a major textile manufacturer, and she had an eye for quality!

Jill and Edward spent many years residing in Mount Airy, North Carolina, where they lived in a historic home dating back to 1860. She enjoyed decorating and collecting cute little tchotchkes and dolls. She and Chuck loved having friends and family over for meals and coffee, filling their home with warmth, music, and laughter. A close friend is writing a country song titled “Jill’s Kitchen,” where he could always get a cup of freshly percolated coffee, a little toast with his butter, and warm conversation. They had several gatherings where they fit three square dancing sets at a time in the living room and back patio!

No stranger to hard work, vegetable gardening, and beautifying her yard with flowers that bloomed throughout the seasons gave her joy and satisfaction. She also enjoyed driving through the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, taking in the natural beauty that surrounded her. She missed her home and friends in North Carolina often speaking of folks fondly. A special shout out to Fonzie, who fixed their old jalopies, and Mozelle and Paula, home health aides, who cared for them with patience and love.

Despite the hardships she faced, including her husband’s long illness, Jill never wavered in her strength or her kindness. She took on many roles at home, from landscaping, lawn maintenance, house painting, power washing, and toting wood in for the fire, to maintaining the household and being a landlady, all while caring for her loved ones with unwavering devotion. A true animal lover, Jill especially adored her dogs, Moses, Molly, Nelly, and Billy Boy, who were constant spoiled companions in the later years of her life.

Jill’s generosity knew no bounds. Whether it was buying dozens of eggs for friends less fortunate or simply being a source of comfort and joy to those around her, she embodied selflessness. Jill would attribute much of her positive outlook on life to her belief in God’s promises for the future. She was a lifelong Jehovah’s Witness, and her belief was that one day she would be resurrected in perfect health to a paradise earth where she could be reunited with her beloved mother, father, brother, #1 son Bing, Elsie, Bitsy, Aunt Dotsie, Dennis, and other loved ones, gave her hope and lightness of heart. Her bright smile and gentle humor were a gift to everyone she met.

Jill is survived by her loving husband, Edward “Chuck” Gaskins, her cherished daughters, Cindy Gaskins and Sherry Burns, and Sherry’s partner, John Kross. She also leaves behind five adored grandchildren: William Isaac Thorne, Casey Lee Thorne, David Adam Feder, Luna Burns, and Darci Burns, along with one great-granddaughter on the way, Chloe Lee. She had a special love for her brother Timothy Rocco Abriola, Sr., and his children Timothy Rocco Abriola, Jr., Colin Abriola, Anthony Abriola, Rachel Abriola Ten, and Imogene Abriola.