Earline Yoshida

Helen Earline Yoshida, 92, of Melbourne passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Earline was born on December 5,1933 in Freeport, Florida to William H. Gill and Ottie (Commander) Gill. She spent her early childhood in north Florida with two brothers and a sister. The family moved to Brevard County where a third brother was born in 1941.

Always active socially, Earline was a cheerleader at Titusville High School and graduated in 1952. She moved to Chicago, Illinois to work and a new life began when she met Edwin Yoshida from Hawaii at the YMCA. They played ping-pong, fell in love and married on July 3, 1954. After their first two daughters were born Earline and Ed moved to Brevard County, FL where Earline had grown up. After four cross-country moves (always an adventure and always by car) with a growing family, Earline, Ed and their five daughters settled in Satellite Beach, FL.

After the girls were older, Earline joined the Space Coast Tennis League and gained wonderful, dear friends who shared her passion for tennis and life. Birthday luncheon get-togethers kept them all in touch after they stopped playing tennis. For a very special 90th birthday celebration for Earline, they all rode together, drank champagne and arrived in a chauffeur-driven limousine!

Earline had many talents and interests. She enjoyed reading, gardening, traveling, fun-filled family gatherings, playing card games (for money) and most recently, she loved playing and teaching everyone to play Rummikub! She also loved sports and especially enjoyed attending sporting events in which her grandchildren were participating. Earline had a good sense of humor and a positive outlook on life. She will be remembered for her strength, beauty, kindness and grace as a loving wife, mother, Grandmommy and Great-Grandmommy.

Earline was preceded in death by her husband, Ed Yoshida and her brothers Kirmith Gill, Raymond Gill, Bobby Gill and sister Audrey Gill Crunk Silipo. She is survived by her daughters Sherry (Bob) Atkins of Merritt Island, FL, Karen (Rob) Hansen of Greer, SC, Robin (Rick) Fort of Ft. Myers, FL/Steamboat Springs, CO, Joy (Steve Starr) Yoshida of Merritt Island, FL and Sandi (José) Patiño of Tampa, FL, 12 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews and her “partner in crime” Gladys Starr.

A family celebration of life gathering is planned at a future date. Special thanks to the staff and management at Chateau Madeleine Senior Living for taking such good care of Earline and making her time there so wonderful these last two years.