Gilda Harrison

My mother always wanted me to write a book about her life. Although that didn’t
happen, I’m pleased to share a window into her life here.
Gilda Lee Harrison was born the fifth of six children to Willie and Ellen Harrison on May
21, 1947 in Vallejo, CA. As the youngest girl, she missed out on having the
responsibilities of cooking and cleaning and instead spent her time primping and
prettying herself as her sister Gwen recalls. She led a carefree childhood and shared
fond memories of living in the housing projects of Floyd Terrace.
The family moved to 615 Warford Avenue in Vallejo on her 13th birthday. She says she
always thought the house was a gift to her. Clearly, she thought she was the apple of
her parents’ eyes. Further proof of this is when her parents decided to go out for a day
date and she snuck in the back seat unbeknownst to them. It wasn’t until they had
driven too far to turn around that she popped up as their surprise guest.
My mom loved decorating her room, sewing, drawing, and even building things under
the tutelage of her father. She was always good with her hands and would prefer
working in the yard or building a shed over cooking in the kitchen. We didn’t mind much
because my father was a superb cook.
My mother met my father, Robert Merrill, while she was attending Solano Community
College. He had been stationed at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield while in the Air
Force. In fact, she met him because she was friends with William Pope who was a
friend of my dad. It was my mother who introduced my Auntie Gwen to William—who
later became her husband.
While my mother studied art in school, she ended up working for Pacific Bell. She
worked her way up from telephone operator to a manager and would work there for
more than 25 years before retiring.

My mom was a fun-loving but strict parent to my sister and me. She made sure we
didn’t eat too much candy but would treat us to burgers or ice cream on a whim. She’d
wake us in the morning singing “rise and shine give God the glory children of the Lord”
and taught us how to sew, do DIY home projects, iron the pleated skirts of our school
uniform and take care of our own hair so we wouldn’t have to depend on a beautician.
We’ll miss my mother’s spirit of hospitality, her deep love for her grandchildren and her
encouragement and steady guidance.

Although she passed in October of 2023, her memory will stay with us. Click on the
following link to get a glimpse of her on video