Ila Mary (Gifford) Gonet was born October 17, 1913 and died March 4, 2007, at the age of 93. Ila was a birthright member of Allen's Neck Monthly Meeting, and she was actively involved in the Meeting's activities throughout her life. As a child, she attended worship and first Day School classes - which is where she met her future husband, Augustine Gonet.
Before her marriage, she graduated from the Wheeler School in Providence, and then became a teacher in Westport and Dartmouth Schools. She also taught First Day School at Allen's Neck. There are still some of her former pupils around who remember her as their teacher.
Ila and Gus were married on June 19, of 1941, and they moved a short distance up the road to raise their family. But they returned to Ila's childhood home to care for Ila's mother, who died in 1969, and there they stayed. Ila became treasurer of Allen's Neck Meeting after her mother died, continuing the family's tradition of service. (Ila's father had been Treasurer until his death in 1927, then Ila's mother held the job until her death.) Ila always kept a close watch on the many bank accounts, and managed the Meeting's money with Quaker practicality. The Meeting relied upon Ila to keep funds in reserve in case of sudden unexpected expenses, which did occasionally arise. She reitred from the job in January 2000, after more than thirty years of faithful service, continuing as Assistqnt Treasurer for one year to help the new Treasurer, Richard Mason.
While she was Treasurer, she also was an active member of the Ministry and Counsel Committee. In her own quiet way, she helped new members to understand Quaker principles of simplicity and integrity, by the way she lived her life.
Ila was also actively involved in the annual Clambake every August. She would call every household in the Meeting to ask for home-baked pies. And she would aslo remind everyone to make handcrafted items for her sale table at the Bake.
Ila will always be remembered for her dedication and service to the Meeting. When she died, the Meeting lost a true Friend. She will be sorely missed.
(Approved by Monthly Meeting for business 7/25/07)