97, Whitney Pier
Margaret Gillis, 97, passed away peacefully at home on January 23, 2014, in the presence of her loving niece and nephew, Joan Marie Gillis and Gerald Rohan Gillis.
Margaret was the daughter of the late Peter and Elizabeth (MacDougall) Gillis of Grand Mira North and Whitney Pier.
She was predeceased by her brothers and sisters-in-law; Lauchie Angus Gillis (Della Ashley) and John Andrew Gillis (Mary E. MacKenzie).
Margaret was a devoted member of Holy Redeemer Parish for the past 91 years. She graduated from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing on May 22, 1940 and retired from Sydney City Hospital in 1981. She was also a former Board Member of the MacGillivray Guest Home.
Margaret is survived by her seven nieces and nephews; Joan Marie Gillis, Sydney, Greg Gillis (Jeannie Beattie), Alliston, Ontario, Anne Doreen McCrea (Bailey), Toronto, Ontario, Gerald Rohan Gillis, Sydney, Lexi Martin (John), Miramichi, New Brunswick, Phonse Gillis (Angela), Antigonish, Bob Gillis (Irene), Burlington, Ontario and Donna Gillis, St. Albert, Alberta. Margaret is also survived by numerous grand (great) – niece’s and grand (great) – nephews who she dearly loved and was especially close.
Visitation for the late Margaret Gillis will be held on Sunday, January 26, 2014 at the Pier Community Funeral Home, Whitney Pier, 1092 Victoria Rd. (entrance on Church Street), from 7-9 p.m. Funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday, Jan. 27, 2014, at 11 a.m. in Holy Redeemer Church with Fr. Paul Murphy officiating. A reception following the mass will be held at the Pier Community Funeral Home. Interment will take place in Resurrection Cemetery, Sydney Forks.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Margaret may be made to Holy Redeemer Building Fund.
The family of Margaret Gillis would like to express a sincere heartfelt thanks to those who provided loving care to her especially her niece, Joan Marie, nephew, Gerald Rohan, City of Sydney Homemakers Service, Palliative Care/VON personnel, Dr. Lisa Gammell and Fr. Paul Murphy-Holy Redeemer Parish.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
A Gaelic Blessing
May you always be blessed
With walls for the wind
A roof for the rain
A warm cup of tea by the fire
Laughter to cheer you
Those you love near you
And all that your heart might desire.
Gum bi sibh daonnan beannaichte
Le doan bho ‘n uile gaoth
Fasgadh bho n t-sileadh
Cupa ti biath taobh an teine
Gaire g ‘ur sô’lasachadh
Luchd-gaoilfaisg oirbh
Agus gach ni a dh ‘iarradh ‘ur cridhe.
On Eagle’s Wings
And He will raise you up
On eagle’s wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm
Of His hand.
Online Condolences
Margaret. Dennis and I know the wonderful care you extended to her and may she watch over you as a Guardian Angel now.
From: Dennis & Pauline MacLellan
Auntie Margaret Since the day I was born you have been in my heart. You were an angel on earth and Heaven is a better place now. We love you dearly and will miss you deeply.
Love Natalie, Gordie, Gillianne and Rebeka
Dear Joan and Gerald Gillis: Sorry to hear about Margaret. May God bless her and keep her and may God bless you both for all that you did for Margaret. I am sorry I cannot be there at this time. Margaret will be missed by all of us.
Sincerely; Jane Graham
Margaret or Gillis as my aunt Jeanette MacDonald always called her were very dear friends. She was also a wonderful friend to my Mom Kaye McKinnon. She was a lovely woman who loved to laugh and was a delight to all those who were around her.
From: Michele McKinnon
Dear Joan, Greg, Doreen, Gerald, Lexie, Phonse, Donna & Families: My sincere sympathy to you all on the loss of your very wonderful Aunt Margaret. She was a very special lady and we all simply LOVED her. Heather, Colleen, Daniel & I are so very happy that we had such a very wonderful visit this past summer to both 58 & 74 Mercer Street. We will cherish that visit always in our hearts as well as the pictures that we took that day. May all the very wonderful memories that you all have, help you all in the difficult days ahead. Margaret and my Dad [Peter Rory] had the same birthday of 24 August but not the same year. She often told me that they exchanged birthday cards and she saved the last one from him in 1999! Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers. God love and bless you all and keep you all always in His care. Love, prayers & hugs; Your loving cousin, Valerie Ann xoxo
Colleen & I would like to send our condolences & sympathy to our Gillis Cousins on the death of their Aunt Margaret Gillis! May the memories you all have of her be a source of comfort to you all in the days ahead! We want you all to know that you’re all in our thoughts & prayers! May God Bless You All!
Sincerely; Heather & Colleen!