Margaret Sheppard Skillman Holt Gill Obituary

Gill, Margaret "Margot" Alice Sheppard Skillman Holt passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, July 7, 2025, at the age of 94.
A lifelong Dallas Resident, she was born March 28, 1931, to Edward Young Holt and Margaret Skillman Holt. She was one of two children and was predeceased by her brother Col. Edward Young Holt, Jr.
Margot married G. Douglas Gill in September 1955. Together, they shared a long and joyful marriage filled with outdoor adventures such as boating, traveling by motorhome, hunting, fishing, and camping -experiences that became an unexpected but cherished part of her life.
Margot is survived by 3 children: Emily Gill Mills of Virginia Beach, VA, her son Edward Douglas Mills of Dallas, TX, his wife Clarissa and their children Grace Skillman Mills and Holt Patrick William Mills; and her daughter Valerie Holt Mills of Virginia Beach, VA, husband Christopher, and their children Evelyn Margot Mills Dales and Archer William Mills Dales; Virginia "Ginger" Woodward Gill of Dallas, TX, her daughter Margaret Skillman Kilduff of Dallas, TX her husband Cory and children Wren Sheppard Alderson and Neve Margot Alderson; Grayson Douglas Gill, Jr. of Bullard, Texas and his wife Elizabeth.
As a young girl, she spent summers at Camp Carysbrook in Riner, Virginia - where she first formed a lasting connection to the state that would later play an important role in her life.
Margot graduated from Hockaday School in Dallas, TX in 1948 and Randolph Macon Women's College (now Randolph College) in Lynchburg, VA in 1952. She earned her BA with a double major in French and Spanish and minors in Italian and Political Science. She was a member of Phi Betta Kappa and the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and received a Fulbright Scholarship to study in France in 1952-53. After her studies, she returned to Dallas and took a job with Sabena Belgian Airline, bringing together her love of languages and travel.
Margot was a true force of nature, a steadfast partner (to Doug), a devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother, friend to many, and a proud Texan to the core. She was a passionate volunteer and tireless fundraiser, motivated always by a desire to do good and get things done. She jumped to every task and was admired for her effective executive skills and ability.
She devoted her time to causes and organizations that mattered to her including: The Junior League of Dallas, Dallas Woman's Club, HPISD PTA, Randolph College and Hockaday Alumnae committees, Camp Fire and Cub Scout Leader, Special Care School, Standard Club, Book and Drama Review Club, Dallas Garden Club, Friends of the Visiting Nurses Association of TX, Belsterling Foundation, Architects wives club, Children's Medical Center Auxiliary, United Way, member of Dallas Country Club, Brookhollow Country Club and member of the Highland Park Presbyterian Church.
She was the strong family matriarch and will be sorely missed.
A private Graveside service will be held at the Douglas Family Cemetery in Bullard, TX. Friends are invited to join the family for a casual gathering to toast and remember Margot's remarkable life on Thursday, July 17, 3:00 to 5 :00 pm at The Tradition on Lover's Lane.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to VNA Hospice, 1440 W Mockingbird Lane, Suite 500, Dallas TX 75247-4975, or to the charity of your choice.