Yvonne Marie Gilliland

Passed away peacefully with family by her side at Hillsdale Terraces on Friday, December 20, 2024 at the age of 89 years. Predeceased by husband, Bruce Gilliland. Loving mother of Cindy Ouellette (Robert), Mark (Lucille), Colleen Hudson (Mark), and predeceased by daughter Sharon Rose. Devoted Grandma of Katherine Koopman (Steve), MaryRose Ouellette, Adam Hudson (Malorie), Jacob Hudson and Great-Grandma of Abigail, Natalie Koopman, Charlotte, Max Thaler, and of June Hudson. Survived by her sisters, Rosemary O'Reilly and Patricia Neil and predeceased by her siblings Pauline Carter and Joseph O'Reilly.

Bonnie will be remembered for her kindness, selflessness and sweet nature. Her humour was loved by all, and she was notorious for her one-liners. She often shared comical and endearing stories from her childhood. Her grandchildren often told her, "Grandma, you should write a book!" Bonnie cherished her memories of growing up in Lindsay with her siblings. Her love of animals was evident from her daily feeding of her backyard birds and squirrels, and she was most content with one of her beloved cats curled up in her lap.

An avid letter writer, it was not unusual for Bonnie to write a dozen or more letters a week. It didn't matter if you lived in the next town or across the Atlantic, you could count on receiving mail from her. Whether it was to an author whose book she particularly enjoyed or to Queen Elizabeth II on her Platinum Jubilee or to send the Queen condolences on the loss of Prince Philip. (Buckingham Palace responded to Bonnie on both occasions!)

Bonnie was proud of her Irish heritage, and her favourite food group was cake. She was humbly devoted to her faith and often spoke of one day being reunited with her loved ones. She immensely missed Bruce after 62 years of marriage.

She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother known for her thoughtfulness. Rest in peace our sweet Bonnie.

Our deepest gratitude and heartfelt thanks to the staff at Hillsdale Terraces on Garden Gate for their devotion, compassion and caring this past year.

A Funeral Mass will take place at ST. MARY OF THE PEOPLE CATHOLIC CHURCH (570 Marion Ave, Oshawa) on Saturday December 28th, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to OSHAWA FUNERAL HOME, 847 King Street West (905-721-1234).