Just as the seeds of a dandelion drift away on a gentle breeze, our mom slipped away early in the morning on December 26th, 2018. Mom walked a long road with many health struggles, but she faced each day with a smile, equal measures of sweetness and stubbornness and a little sass.
Theresa was a member of St. Mary’s Parish, Mabou.
Born on April 5th, 1934 in Portage, C.B., she was the eldest child of Angus and Cecilia Gillis. She left Cape Breton for Boston in 1963, meeting and marrying her husband, Greg. They returned to Cape Breton in 1981 with their daughters K.C. and Florence, making Mabou their home and a wide circle of friends who became family. Mom's kitchen was a hive of activity for the community. Lots of tea, biscuits, and sandwiches flowed out of her kitchen, lots of laughs, joy and wisdom flowed from the command centre in her kitchen. She was a devoted grandmother to Siobhan; and her four-legged grandson Sam.
Besides her husband, children and grandchildren, Theresa is survived by her son- in- law David MacKinnon; brothers, Jim (Ada), Don (Mary Lou), Joe (Nancy) and Bobby (Tina); and her sister, Mary; nieces, nephews, sisters and brothers in-law and many good friends. She was predeceased by her parents, her mother in-law, Kathleen; father in law, Angus; brothers-in-law, Joe and Eugene. She's reunited with her sister-in-law and close friend, Ceily.
A special thank you to Lori Ann MacDonald and all Home Care support for all your compassion and care given to Mom.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 30th from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in the vestry of St. Mary's Church, Mabou. Funeral Mass will be held Monday, December 31st at 11a.m. in St. Mary's Church with Fr. Bernie MacDonald officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Central Inverness Palliative Care Society or to St. Mary’s Cemetery Fund, Mabou.
Online condolences may be made to: www.invernessfuneralhome.com
