Gillian Mary Wilson-Smith
June 01, 1939 – July 28, 2018
Share this obituary
Local Florists
Sign Guestbook|
Send Private Condolences
Died peacefully at her home in Oakville at the age of 79 on Saturday, July 28th, 2018 after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer. Predeceased by her husband of almost 48 years Ian Michael Wilson-Smith, she will be greatly missed by her children Anne (Brian), Robert (Ruth), Janet (Alberto), and Stephen (Christine), as well as grandchildren Michael, Kevin, and Kate of Oakville, Alexandra, Megan, and William of Spain, Luc, Paul, Gabrielle, and Anabelle of England, and Henry of Vancouver.
Gillian (Gilly) was born June 1, 1939 to William and Mary Wells in London, England and was the second of four children. She did a year of studies at London University before marrying Ian on July 22, 1961 and starting a family. They had four children in rapid succession before emigrating to Canada in 1968 with a sense of adventure and opportunity. She moved several times following Ian’s career path (Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton, back to Montreal, and Windsor), always making a house a home and collecting new friendships along the way with her outgoing and friendly personality. While in Montreal for the second time she went back to university and completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Concordia University, graduating in 1980. Eventually Ian’s career brought them full circle back to Bristol, England. They spent many years there and this was a happy time for her. Over the years she was not only a devoted wife and mother but also a piano teacher, choir member, and church organist. Ian and Gillian eventually retired to France where they spent many happy years before returning to Canada in 2002. Her battle with cancer began then and she fought it bravely and defied the odds many times with her fighting spirit, and more recently she also suffered from osteoporosis. For the past 12 years Oakville has been her home. She is an example of never giving up even when the odds they give you are bleak. Her faith and belief in the power of prayers made her strong. For the past 18 months of declining health her home has been the Kensington Retirement Home in Oakville, with her favourite spot being the lovely garden, which was a special place for her. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her as she touched so many lives. She will be remembered for her passion and enthusiasm for life, her unwavering faith, her bravery and tenacity in the face of adversity, her love of music and chocolate, her generosity to many causes and charities she believed in, and her love of family. She was a very special woman!
The family would like to gratefully acknowledge the caring staff at the Kensington Retirement Home in Oakville, the wonderful oncology team over the years at Princess Margaret Hospital, and for the care she received at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital during her more recent stays. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation (www.thepmcf.ca)
Visitation will take place between 7-9pm on Thursday August 2 at Kopriva Taylor Funeral Home, 64 Lakeshore Road W., Oakville (on block East of Kerr Street). Funeral Mass to be held on Friday, August 3rd at St. Andrew Parish, 47 Reynolds Rd., Oakville at 11am. Online condolences may be made through www.koprivataylor.com
Print Obituary
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Gillian Mary Wilson-Smith June 01 1939 July 28 2018.source
Death notice for the town of: Oakville, Province: Ontario