CHULA VISTA (KGTV) — Family and friends gathered Monday to remember a 56-year-old Chula Vista woman who was killed in May, after police say she went to address a problem with one of her mother’s tenants.
Brenda Gillett was remembered during a funeral Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in San Diego Monday morning.
Gillett’s younger sister, Wendy Bonifacio, described her as a go-getter who lived by the phrase “Sí Se Puede,” meaning “Yes, you can.” She was also an Army veteran who was known for being the life of the party.
“I miss her a lot,” Bonifacio said. “I miss her presence. I would love to have her here with me.”
Gillett also helped manage her mother’s home on the 600 block of Via Curvada in Chula Vista.
At the end of May, Gillett went to deal with a tenant, Robert Watkins, who was causing problems, according to police and court records.
Watkins is accused of killing Gillett and dismembering her body. Investigators recovered parts of her remains at a Chula Vista park and near the USS Midway, according to court documents. Watkins later confessed to killing Gillett.
Gillett's family said her loss has been difficult and they want justice.
“It’s been very challenging times,” Bonifacio said. “I want to make sure that she knows she’s not going to be ever forgotten.”
Bonifacio also said she wants Watkins to remain behind bars.
"Brenda would demand justice," Bonifacio said. "She would not want this to happen to anybody else."
Because of the violent circumstances surrounding Gillette’s death, her family chose to have her cremated.
After Monday’s funeral Mass, her ashes were set to be laid to rest at Miramar National Cemetery.
Gillette’s mother, Alba, said her daughter will now be her guardian angel.
“I was the happiest mother in the world because she treats me like a queen all the time,” Gillett said. “She was beautiful, beautiful in and out.”
Bonifacio said the family plans to hold a vigil for Gillett in October when she would have celebrated her 57th birthday.
