Austin, TX - Danielle was born in San Diego, California, the daughter of Ray and Liliane Gill (nee Molhant).

Liliane, a native of Belgium, had met Ray while he was stationed in England during his service with the US Navy. After living in San Diego, Charleston, and Ostend, Belgium they moved to Waco, TX, to be with Ray's family. In subsequent years they visited Belgium frequently for months at a time, so Danielle had a unique upbringing, like having two home countries. She spoke French fluently. In the 60's they moved to Austin where Danielle attended Porter Junior High and Crockett High School, and started what became a career in food service.

After various jobs waiting tables, in the 80's she was offered a management position at South Point Seafood on south Lamar and took to it immediately. After that establishment closed, friends told her to try Guero's Taco Bar. She was made manager in a few months. That was 1990.

She was a friend to all her customers (especially those with dogs) and was willing to give new and inexperienced staff the benefit of the doubt, but only within reason. She had her principles and did not hesitate to tell you what they were. She was on her way to work the day she was taken from this world by a severe heart attack.

Danielle's true passion was being a traveler.

Over our 41 years together she and I visited five continents and 30-plus countries, as well as islands in the Pacific, Atlantic, Caribbean, and Mediterranean. Stateside we were frequently found in New York, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Miami and southern California; but our very special place was

Provence and the French Riviera.

Our travels gave us the opportunity to visit the world's greatest institutions of fine art with the backdrop of the great cities which housed them, as well as ancient sites of history like the Minoan ruins of Knossos or the Roman city of Ephesus in Turkey. When in New York we were enthralled by the Metropolitan Opera. She was a huge fan of Picasso, Matisse and Chagall, buy could readily recognize works from the Impressionists to mid-20th century works. She was a very well educated and intelligent person, but never a know-it-all. She loved conversation and was better at it than most people.

A true bon vivant, she enjoyed a good time, a fine meal or loved to wisecrack and laugh in the company of good friends. Seafood was always at the top of her menu.

She was also a huge sports fan, supporting the Longhorns and Cowboys as well as many teams playing the world's game of football, and the excitement of the World Cup; not to mention being an avid supporter of horse-racing visiting Del Mar and Santa Anita frequently. And let's not forget Formula 1 racing: We attended every race in Austin from its inception, as well as two visits to the Grand Prix d'Espagna outside Barcelona. She was nuts about Lewis Hamilton.

Danielle loved our furry friends and donated generously to the Austin Humane Society. Donations can be made in her memory in lieu of flowers if you wish.

Danielle was preceded in death by her parents,

Ray and Liliane Gill of Austin, uncle Bobby Gill of Lenexa KS, and aunt Joyce Radatz of Marietta GA.

She is survived by husband Neil Pederson of Austin

and cousins Philippe Molhant of Marbella, Spain and

Isabelle Molhant of Boston, MA as well as many members of Neil's family.

"Margaret, are you grieving

over Goldengrove unleaving?

Leaves, like the things of man, you

With your fresh thoughts care for,

can you?

AH! As the heart grows older

It will come to such sights colder

By and by, nor spare a sigh

Though worlds of wanwood leafmeal

lie;

And you will weep and know why.

Now no matter, child, the name:

Sorrows springs are the same,

Nor mouth had, no nor mind expressed

What heart heard of, ghost guessed:

It is the blight man was born for,

It is Margaret you mourn for."

-Gerard Manley Hopkins

I will always love you, my darling.