Gretchen Kokomoor Brill's Obituary
Gretchen Kokomoor Brill passed away Sunday, December 17th six days after her 101st birthday. She was born in Edgerton, Ohio to Dr. And Mrs. Franklin W. Kokomoor (Flory) on December 11, 1922. She moved to Gainesville in 1927 when her father accepted a position as head of the Department of Mathematics at the University of Florida.
She attended Gainesville School, grades one through six. In 1934, the university opened P.K. Yonge Laboratory School, and Gretchen became a charter member of the class of 1940. Following high school, she attended Texas State College for Women (now Texas Women's University).
In 1941, Japanese planes bombed Pearl Harbor. America was at war. Every eligible man was subject to active duty. Young women were encouraged to stay in school and support the troops. Gretchen and the other girls in her dorm in Denton, Texas were commissioned to knit khaki-colored wristlets (trigger finger and thumb open) for artillery riflemen.
In 1943, Gretchen graduated with honors from TSCW, with degrees in Fashion Illustration and Mathematics. She was admitted to Yale University to pursue her master’s degree in watercolor painting.
Prior to her matriculation at Yale, Gretchen went to Ann Arbor, Michigan to visit her brother, Marvin Kokomoor and his new bride, Mabel. She was introduced to Marvin's medical school roommate, Thomas Brill. It was love at first sight, and, instead of going to New Haven to Yale, Gretchen returned to Gainesville to prepare for her wedding. Gretchen and Tom were married on December 20, 1943 at First United Methodist Church.
Following Tom’s completion of medical school, his military service in World War II, and his medical residencies, Gretchen and Tom moved their family to Gainesville, and Tom opened his pediatric practice. Except for a few hiccoughs (a recall to active duty during the Korean War, and a year’s stint in Los Angeles, Ca.), Gainesville was home.
Gretchen loved to cook and was a consummate entertainer, hosting numerous dinner parties for her family and her friends. She was a member of The Junior Welfare League of Gainesville (later The Junior League). In 1974, Gretchen and her friend, Kitty Kitchens decided to publish a new cookbook to replace the Junior League’s 1941 Culinary Crinkles. Their creation, Gator Country Cooks, had five printings and sold over 17,000 copies, earning a lot of money for the Junior League’s charitable projects.
In 1980, Gretchen was asked to serve as a charter member of the Advisory Board of the University of Florida’s newly constructed Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. She proudly served on that board for many years.
Gretchen was predeceased by her husband, Tom Brill, her brother, Marvin Kokomoor, her son-in-law, James Lang, and her grandson, John Brill. She is survived by her brother, Donald Kokomoor, her daughter, Judy Lang Rembert (Davis), and her sons, Roger Brill (Claudia), Eric Brill (Gail), and Robert Brill (Nancy). She is also survived by eleven grandchildren, Margaret Schrader (Bobby), Sally Naporano (Moe Adams), Tom Brill, Gretchen Brill (Seth Devane), Robert Brill (Jennifer Chapple), Jim Brill, Marla Schenck, Robbie Henderson (Kim), Kelly Jones (Darin), Kari Brill, Katie McDonnell (Shaun).
Surviving her, as well, are her 17 great-grandchildren, Jordan Schroeder (Alek), Bo Schrader (Keeley), Abigail Schenck, Isabelle Schenck, Leia Henderson, Jaina Henderson, Mena Naporano, Tommy Naporano, Rex Naporano, Kloe Brill, Jackson Brill, Even McDonnell, Madalyn McDonnell, Jack McDonnell, Sam McDonnell, and Charlotte McDonnell. Gretchen also leaves behind one great-great-grandchild, Finn Schroeder. The family would like to thank the many wonderful caregivers from Granny Nannies, especially Bhai, Sonia, and Michelle.
The family also asked for no flowers, PLEASE. Gretchen's service and burial will be private. Contributions can be made to Phillips Center for the Performing Arts https://performingarts.ufl.edu/giving/. and Haven Hospice www.beyourhaven.org.
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