The Garden Island
Notice #: 0001108533-01
Funeral Notices

LOIS HANAWALT GILL

December 15, 1925 – May 22, 2018

Lois Hanawalt Gill of Honolulu, widow of the former Territorial and State Legislator, Congressman, and Lieutenant Governor Tom Gill, died of natural causes on May 22 at her home, surrounded by family, at age 92. She is survived by her six children: Thomas A. Gill of Honolulu, Andrea Gill of Hilo, Eric Gill of Honolulu, Ivan (Jeanette Olson) Gill of New Orleans, Timothy (May Lynne) Gill of Berkeley, and Gary (Susan Essoyan) Gill of Honolulu—as well as twelve grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Lois Gill was active throughout her married life as an advocate for public education, consumer protection, veterans’ affairs, environmental protection, and civil rights. She was deeply involved in her late husband’s political career and in the revitalization of Hawaii’s Democratic Party in the 1950s and ’60s.

Born Lois Angelina Hanawalt in McFarland, CA, on December 15, 1925, she was one of 12 children. Her father, educator W.C. Hanawalt, was the fifth president of what is now La Verne College, and her mother was Pearl Etta Hanawalt. Lois grew up on farms in McFarland, CA, and Gettysburg, PA.

Lois was a graduate of Gettysburg (PA) High School, Bakersfield (CA) Junior College, and the University of California at Berkeley, where she met her future husband, Thomas P. Gill. They were married at St. Clement’s Church in Honolulu on August 25, 1947.

Independent and self-reliant from a young age, Lois contributed her tireless work ethic, intense passion for fairness, and impeccable integrity to many causes. Active even in her final years, Lois was proud of the role she played in repealing legislation that undermined zoning protection for Hawaii’s public lands.

A woman of grace and determination, Lois was articulate and tenacious. She will be remembered by many for her sense of humor, resilience, competence, and dedication to her family.

Lois’ ashes will be interred alongside those of her late husband in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl. A private memorial will be planned for a later date.

Donations in her memory are invited to the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii Foundation and Hawaii Public Radio.