Mary Helen Gillies

August 14, 1926 – October 30, 2019

It is with deep sadness that we mourn the death of our cherished mother Mary. After a brief illness, Mary passed away suddenly on October 30, 2019 at Lions Gate Hospital Cardiac Unit in North Vancouver with her daughter Susan by her side.

Mom had a lovely sense of humour and a great tenacity for life. She was the kindest and gentlest person who blessed us all with her presence.

She was born and lived in Victoria where she attended St. Ann’s Academy and later trained and worked as a hairdresser before marrying Vernon and having 2 daughters, Judy and Susan. When the family moved to Vancouver, she became a valued member of the Vancouver General Hospital’s Women’s Auxiliary.

Mary and Vern lived in Kitsilano and retired to Bowen Island for several years. They returned to West Vancouver where mom lived comfortably in Inglewood Lodge since 2012. She was loved by patients and staff alike. She always put others ahead of herself when they needed support.

Survived by and lovingly remembered by her younger daughter Susan Ann Hall (nee Gillies), husband Bill Hall and Judy’s family – husband Bill MacLaren, their children, Allison and Mark MacLaren and Mary’s great grandchildren Reese and Ethan Wilby. Mary was predeceased by her husband Verson in 2010, and most sadly by her eldest daughter July in April of this year.

They family would like to extend their deepest thanks to the doctors and nurses of Lions Gate Hospital for their quality of care, also the ministerial support who attended at Mary’s passing and the staff at the Upper Lodge at Inglewood for their kindness and caring for mom during her 7 years there.

A Celebration of Mary’s Life will be held at Hollyburn Funeral Home, 1807 Marine Drive, West Vancouver on Saturday November 23rd at 11:00 am. Donations may be made to Lions Gate Foundation Cardiac Unit or the SPCA.