Born in Falls City, Nebraska. Received B.A. from Lindenwood College for Women in 1954. Received A.M. from the University of Chicago in 1960. Married to Thomas Gillilland August 23, 1956. They have three children. She lived and worked in the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands 1957 to 1965.

Employed at the Smithsonian Institution 1965 to 1975. From 1975 to 1977 she taught art history at Montgomery College in Takoma Park, Maryland, and Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale. Employed with the U. S. Mint as Chief of Consumer Affairs 1977 to 1983. In September 1983 she was named associate curator for the Division of Numismatics in the Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institution. She retired December 31, 1992.

Author of The Stone Money of Yap in 1975 issued at $1.70. Author of Sylloge of the United States Holdings in the National Numismatic Collection of the Smithsonian Institution, Volume One: Gold Coins, 1785-1834 in 1993 at $62.

bio: WWAW 85-86