Cheryl Margaret Gillis
1962-2018
Gillis, Cheryl Margaret of
Whycocomagh. It is with deepest sorrow that we
announce the passing of Cheryl Margaret Gillis, 56, of
Whycocomagh, Cape
Breton, at the QEII Infirmary Site,
Halifax on Friday, December 7, 2018. She
was surrounded
by her large and loving family. Born in Baddeck, Cheryl was a
daughter of Anna (Beeson) Gillis and the late Murdock
“Muckie” Gillis.
Fiercely determined, Cheryl
was the longest surviving recipient of a trial
heart
valve replacement from the Mayo Clinic in MN, USA. While we
would
have gladly accepted more time together, we are
grateful for the many memory
filled years we had with
her.
Cheryl graduated from Whycocomagh Consolidated School in
1981and completed a
Commercial Business Program at Mabou
Consolidated in 1982. Cheryl then
attended the University
College of Cape Breton and received a Bachelor of
Business Administration degree in 1986. After graduating, Cheryl had a
variety of work experiences, and in 1996 she began her 21
years of
employment with Canada Post. During her years at
the Post Office, each
Christmas Cheryl became Santa’s
most valuable elf, helping him to respond to
the many
letters that he received from children. With her sharp memory and
wit, each carefully crafted letter was itself, a special
gift.
Cheryl was passionate about her family, in particular her
nieces and
nephews, for whom she was a “second
Mom”. She was proud of their
accomplishments and
loyally supported their dreams and adventures. Her love
for her young grandnieces and grandnephews brought renewed joy and
amusement
to her life. Cheryl loved to travel to visit
family and friends. She also
cherished attending the many
family gatherings that were held. Nothing
brought out the
competitive spirit in Cheryl more than a good card game and
she was especially pleased if she won.
With a steadfast commitment to her community’s growth and
development,
Cheryl devoted countless hours to the
Stewart United Church and UCW, The
Brownies Program, the
Whycocomagh Volunteer Fire Department, Summer Festival
Activities, Christmas in the Village, and Eastern Star. She
was also a
dedicated supporter of the IWK, continuously
knitting finger puppets, hats,
blankets and teddy bears
for sick children.
The expression “good things come in small packages”
was proven true with
Cheryl. Her own experiences, and the
obstacles that she overcame, ignited
her love and empathy
for children, the elderly or anyone who was struggling.
Cheryl is survived by her mother, Anna Gillis; brothers,
Kevin (Sandra),
Darrell (Irene), Craig (Terry), Barry
(Chrissie); sisters, Jesslyn
(Michael), Marion (Lorne).
She is also survived by nieces, Tamzin (Ryan),
Meghan
(Jill) and Annie; nephews, Devon (Anna), Jason, Adam (Nicole),
Jordan, Kinnon, Riley; grandnieces, Adelaide and Monroe; and
grandnephews,
Archer, Alec and William. Cheryl was
predeceased by her father and numerous
loving aunts and
uncles.
The family wishes to sincerely thank Dr. Hayami, Dr. Anderson
and the
special nurses on 6.4 CCU at the QEII Halifax
Infirmary.
Visitation will be held in the Dennis Haverstock Funeral
Chapel, Whycocomagh
on Tuesday, December 11th from 2-9
p.m. Funeral service will be held from
Stewart United
Church, Whycocomagh on Wednesday, December 12th at 11:00 a.m.
with Rev. Alicia Cox officiating. Burial to follow in
Stewartdale Cemetery.
Family flowers only
please.
Donations in Cheryl’s
memory may be made to the Whycocomagh Volunteer Fire
Department Ladies Auxiliary, the Stewart United Church, or the charity
of
your choice. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the
family at:
www.haverstocks.com
“God has blessed
us by having you in our lives, Cheryl. You will not be
forgotten”
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Cheryl Margaret Gillis 19622018..
Source:Dennis Haverstocks funeral homes
Death notice for the town of: Whycocomagh, Province: Nova Scotia