Gilma Calle Commander

Gilma Calle Commander, 98, of Orlando, Florida, departed our world on Sunday, March 15, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.

Gilma was the heart of her family, a devoted wife of more than 51 years, a loving mother, a cherished grandmother known as "Lita," and a caring sister and aunt. Born near Medellín, Colombia, she grew up among her six siblings, where she developed a deep appreciation for family, faith, and enduring traditions that would guide her throughout her life.

While working for Avianca Airlines, she met her husband, Jack Commander, a United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and pilot. Instantly captivated by her beauty and grace, Jack swept her off her feet. Together they built a life full of love, adventure, and devotion abroad and ultimately settled in Orlando, where Gilma became a constant and comforting presence to all who knew her.

Together, Gilma and Jack traveled the world by plane, ship, train, and motorcycle. Gilma embraced each journey fully, later sharing her stories with warmth and joy for decades.

She will be remembered for her strong faith, gentle spirit, deep compassion, and remarkable selflessness. Gilma lived by putting others first, often deferring to what made those around her happy, and finding true joy in their happiness. She was a steady source of comfort, always ready with a listening ear, a reassuring presence, and a hand to hold.

A devoted homemaker and matriarch, she created a home filled with laughter, cherished traditions, and home-cooked meals. She was a motherly figure not only to her own children, but to countless nieces, nephews, and loved ones, embracing all with unconditional love and care.

Her faith in Christ and her Patron Saint, Santa Rita, was her foundation, especially after the passing of her beloved husband in 2000. She carried that faith with quiet strength, shaping the way she loved, forgave, and supported others throughout her life. She found joy in life's simple pleasures of reading, sewing, caring for animals, enjoying sweet treats, speaking with her sisters, watching her favorite game shows and playing cards.

She returned to Colombia in 2012 with her children, sharing her homeland with her granddaughters for the first time. In 2022, she was celebrated at her 95th birthday in Vero Beach, surrounded by family, including her youngest sister, and numerous nieces and nephews who traveled from afar, a reflection of the love and unity she embodied.

Gilma is survived by her children, Helene Commander Conway and Jack Commander Jr.; her granddaughters, Anna and Lauren Commander; her son-in-law, James Conway; her sisters, Martha Elena Calle de Posada and Maria Beatriz Calle de Gutierrez; and many nieces and nephews who adored her.

Her legacy lives on in the love she gave, the values she instilled, the traditions she preserved, and the countless lives she touched.

We love you Mom. Until we meet again.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made in her memory to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, supporting military veterans and their families, and/or to the ASPCA, helping protect and care for animals in need.