Anne Cicile Pillion

Anne Cicile Pillion, ending her 33-month-long struggle against ALS, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at home on Friday, June 30, 2023. 

Anne had a passion and a gift for shaping young lives. First as a teacher of many subjects, ranging from Religion to Phys Ed (ironic, if you know Anne!), at Most Holy Name Catholic School on Troy Hill and later as a Middle School teacher at Keystone Oaks. While at KO, Anne also took on the role of Forensics coach at St. Anne’s Middle School. Subsequently, she became the Forensics League Director for all of southwestern Pennsylvania. Almost nothing gave Anne more satisfaction than seeing her young team overcome their fear of public speaking. 

But Anne’s greatest joy was her children. At an early age she shaped them to be both interesting and interested people, giving them many experiences outside the home that would foster their curiosity, empathy, and world-view. Although Anne stopped teaching to be with her children, she showed them what it meant to be engaged in their community by becoming PTA President, Program Chair of the Mt. Lebanon Cultural Arts Program, and a docent for the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation.

Anne is survived by her immediate family including her husband Robert Gardner, son Noah Pillion-Gardner, and daughters Flannery Pillion-Gardner, Sadie Pillion-Gardner, and Josephine Pillion-Gardner.

Friends and family are invited to attend a graveside ceremony at Penn Forest Natural Burial Park, 121 Colorado Street, Verona PA 15147, on Monday, July 3, at 12:00 noon. Please, NO flowers will be accepted. All donations should be directed to The ALS Association of Western PA, 416 Lincoln Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15209, care of Brittany McCall.

The sadness we feel in Anne’s loss is only eclipsed by the gladness for having had her in our lives.  Through her children and through her contributions, she leaves the world a better place.  May we all say the same.

Arrangements by Natural Funeral Company, 412.545.7500.

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