Ruth Anne Gillan

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing on December 5th, 2024, of our dear mother, Ruth Anne (Macaulay) Gillan, at the Whitehills Long Term Care Centre in Hammonds Plains, N.S., at the grand age of 90. A loving wife, mother, grandma, great-grandma, sister, and highly respected teacher, she will be greatly missed.

Ruth Anne was born in Sydney Mines on October 23, 1934. From a young age she always knew what she wanted to be, a teacher. In the early days, she would play school with her younger siblings and their friends, and then several years later she would teach them, and many more students (including two of her own boys) at Sydney Mines and Memorial High Schools. Mom not only taught in the classroom for over 30 years, but she was also head of the Language Department at Memorial High School. Dedicated to her students both in the classroom and out, she mentored and supported countless student debaters and drama clubs over the years and was much loved for it.

Mom loved the three summers from 1953 to 1955 that she worked at the Keltic Logic in Ingonish. During these years, she completed her teaching courses at the Normal College in Truro and her Bachelor of Arts Degree at Mount Allison University in Sackville NB, winning the Governor General award.

Mom met Dad when she was just 14 and one of the things they enjoyed was the dances at the Odd-fellows Hall on Queen Street in Sydney Mines. They married in 1957 and spent their early years on the move with the Royal Canadian Air Force. She was always very proud of their family and enjoyed telling everyone that Stewart was born in Gander NL; Gordon was born in Newcastle, NB; Anne was born in North Bay, Ontario; and both Tom and Malcolm were born in Cape Breton.

Mom was a devoted member of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, serving as a faithful member of the Kirk Session, and as a joyful member of the choir. She loved going to Sunday School and CGIT (Canadian Girls in Training) as a young girl, later teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, and ministering through the Atlantic Missionary Society. Mom was Camp Director for Camp MacLeod, again a testament to her love of young people.

Mom was a fabulous baker and many a friend and family member enjoyed her famous apple pies and biscuits. She loved to bring people a pie on their birthday. And for her children and grandchildren birthday events would include a chocolate cake baked with love and money hidden inside. It was a great feeling when you got a piece of cake with a quarter.

And Mom loved her games: Scrabble was top of the list which allowed expression of her love of language and the written word. Twenty questions at supper, and Famous people, places, or things featured often.

Mom moved to Halifax in May 2013, and she always remained the greatest ambassador for her beloved home of Cape Breton Island. Her first question to people she’d meet was "Where are you from?" She listened to their answer and then explained she was from Cape Breton and asked if they had ever been there. If not, she would "highly" recommend that they visit.

Mom is survived by her children: Stewart (Sarah), Scotland; Gordon, Saint John; Anne (Robert), Halifax, and Tom, Halifax; grandchildren, Robert Day (Leah) and Christina (Adam) Foy, Kamren LeLievre; Imogen and Alexander Gillan, Ian Gillan, and her great-granddaughter, Daya Foy, as well as, her sister Lynda Mockler and brother Kenneth (Betty) Macaulay. She was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, David, her son, Malcolm, and siblings Donald, Mary, and Emily.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff of the Whitehills Long Term Care Centre for their compassionate and attentive support and care.

Visitation will be held 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. on Friday, December 13 at the Fillmore & Whitman Funeral Home, 8 Clyde Ave., Sydney Mines.

The service of celebration will be held at 11a.m. Saturday, December 14 at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church at the corner of Main and Queen Streets, Sydney Mines.

Inurnment will take place at Brookside Cemetery. Reception to be held at the church directly after the service.

If desired, donations in Mom’s name can be made to Alzheimer’s Association, Cancer Society, Sydney Mines Food Bank, or a cause of your choice.