Nancy A. Gillott's life revolved around two things -- her dogs and her grandchildren. She was happiest when her home was filled with the lively sounds of both.

Mrs. Gillott, of Butler Township, a member of the Butler Dog Training Association, died Dec. 27 in UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh of cancer. She was 65.

Family said Mrs. Gillott's love of dogs began in her youth.

"As far back as I've seen pictures of her, she had dogs around her," said her son, Dewaine Gillott, of Butler Township.

Though she was primarily a homemaker, Mrs. Gillott groomed dogs in her home for nearly 40 years and bred cocker spaniels and schnauzers for many years. Her son recalled that the family home was always full of beloved pets.

"I can remember as a kid five [dogs] at one time in the house, excluding puppies," said her son.

In later years, Mrs. Gillott, whom her son described as "very quiet," frequently took her cocker spaniel Whitney, a certified therapy dog, to visit patients at the Butler Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Sunnyview nursing home.

"She really enjoyed that a lot," he said.

Born and raised in Butler, Mrs. Gillott was a 1959 graduate of Butler High School. In addition to her dogs, she enjoyed swimming and sunbathing.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Francis N. Gillott, on Dec. 11.

Survivors include another son, Darin E. Gillott, of Butler Township and two grandchildren.

A service was held Dec. 30 in Geibel Funeral Home in Butler. Interment was private.