She passed peacefully Saturday, March 4, surrounded by the love and adoration of her family.
Mary, the daughter of the late Joseph and Sarah Margaret MacDonald (Black), Dominion, was born July 8, 1928. She was pre-deceased by her husband Michael J. (Mickey) Gillis in 2006. Together, they built their life in Prime Brook and celebrated the blessing of a home filled with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and Scottish music.
She is survived by her nine children; sons Steve, Macdonald and Charles, Sydney, and Jamie (Cathy), Gabarus, and daughters Margie, Sydney, Eileen Mallett (Jimmy), Cole Harbour, Rosalie (David Johnson), Sydney, Michelle MacKinnon (Doyle), Lethbridge, Alta., and Lorna Campbell (Ian), Sydney; grandchildren Michael and Leah Jones, Ainsley and Emily Mallett, Connor, Kathleen, and Molly MacKinnon, Heather and Cara Gillis, John Michael and Catherine Campbell; great-grandchildren Taven Jones, Owen and Bennett Sears, Levon Gillis and Jack Neville.
She is also survived by her sister Joyce MacLean, Sydney, and brother Greg (Jeanette), Truro, as well as sisters-in-law Mona MacDonald and Sharon MacDonald, and many loving nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband Mickey, Mary was pre-deceased by siblings, John F. MacDonald, Charles MacDonald, Dan V. MacDonald (Rita) and Ann Gallant; brother-in-law Jim MacLean, as well as Mickey’s siblings, Duncan, James, Lawrence (Freda), Isabel (Jimmy), Bernard (Anne), and Stephen, and her daughter-in-law, Joyce Babin, wife of Macdonald.
Mary’s life is to be celebrated. She was an amazing woman who possessed the incredible ability and intellect to offer kindness when needed, sage advice when requested and firm, candid messaging when merited. Her marvellous sense of humour and sharp wit touched all who knew her.
She spent upwards of 30 years teaching elementary school at both Dutch Brook and Churchill schools. For the last nine years she resided in Williston House in Sydney, where she enjoyed the company and support of dear friends and was one of the founding members of Williston Women, a philanthropic group of senior ladies who supported a multitude of worthwhile causes. For many years she was a devout parishioner at St. Anthony Daniel Church.
The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the entire staff at both the Cape Breton Regional Hospital and Williston House, all of whom enhanced her quality of life in recent years and weeks.
Visitation for the late Mary Gillis will be held on Thursday, March 9 from 2 to 4 pm and from 7 to 9 pm at the T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel. Funeral mass to be celebrated on Friday at 11 am at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Church with Fr. Bill Burke officiating. A reception will be held following the Mass at the St. Theresa’s Parish Hall in Sydney. Interment will take place in Resurrection Cemetery, Sydney Forks.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Every Woman’s Centre’s Back to School Campaign. To share memories and condolences please visit www.twcurry.com.
