A beloved Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother, Charlotte was born to the late Emma and Maurice Donovan on April 17th, 1925 in Ingonish, Nova Scotia. The eldest of fourteen children, Charlotte developed a love of baking at the young age of five, making the family bread every night. She carried this love throughout her life, bringing friends and family together over a cup of tea and a piece of pie , baking Barbie cakes for her grandchildren’s birthdays, or simply teaching her love of baking to her children and grandchildren.
At the age of sixteen, her sense of adventure took her to Sydney where she began a career working for various physicians in the area. It was during this time in 1941 that she met the love of her life, the late Lawrence Alexander Gillis, at a dance on Nelgah Beach. Their love held strong during times of war and when Lawrence returned from serving his country they were married on October 15, 1945. They built their family home in Grand Mira North where they were blessed with seven children, eighteen grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren. Charlotte always enjoyed spending time with her family celebrating life events and holidays or simply having the grandchildren playing at the family home. She took great pride in everything her family members accomplished and always offered her loving support in any way she could. She was incredibly proud to be able to hold her great grandchildren and watch as they have grown. She has left her family with a great legacy of love that will never be forgotten.
Charlotte is survived by six children, Martin (Cheryl), Gregory (Francie), Howard (Sharon), Shauna Snow, Virginia (Glen) MacGuire and Vivian (Darrell) Peters, Son in Law Douglas MacSween, Daughter in Law Veronica Gillis; grandchildren Hugh (Tracy), Darren (Tanya), Stephen (Becky), Keith (Jennifer), Margaret (Mike) Sullivan, Genevieve (Kuria) Mbaabu, Helen (Tyson) Gillis, Nicole (Mark) Wood, Vance (Alex), Ryan, Crystal, Anthony (Nicole), Charlotte (Bronson) Brown, Michelle (Joseph) Hines, Jennifer (Brian) Comer, Paula (Rudy) Allen, Zackary Peters, Samantha Peters and many great grandchildren as well as her sisters Elenor (d. Pierson) Richardson, Ann Marie (Ross) Keizer, Francis (d. Colin) Gillis, Vivian (d. Bruno) Latwaitis, brothers Clyburn (d. Margaurite), Phillip (Georgina), Kyte and Emily (d. Martin). Charlotte was predeceased by her husband Lawrence, son Lawrence Hughie, brothers Wilfred (Mary), Patrick, Art (Lillian) and sisters Edna (d. Joseph) MacDonald, and Kathleen (John) Robichaud and brother Maurice in infancy.
Charlottes family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of Harbour Stone Enhanced Home, especially Mary, Ellen, Cathy and Heather for the loving and dedicated care given to her over the past number of years. We also extend heartfelt thanks to Dr. Ann Frances D’Intino and the Palliative Care Staff of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital for their wonderful, compassionate care over the past three weeks.
A private family service will be held on Friday September 17, 2021, friends may attend the Funeral Service virtually by joining the livestream on TW Curry’s website, starting at 2 pm. You may also leave memories and condolences for the family by visiting www.twcurry.com
In lieu of flowers, donations may be to Palliative Care.
