Anne’s Obituary
Obituary of Anne Christine (MacDonald) Gillis
It is with heavy hearts, and appreciation for a lifetime of memories, that the family of Anne Christine (MacDonald) Gillis announces her peaceful passing on Saturday, October 26, 2019 at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre. Anne was born in Halifax and raised in Howie Center, Cape Breton by the late Donald (Dan) and Jessie MacDonald. Anne is survived by her loving husband Allison Gillis, her daughters Kerry Turner (Peter Turner) of Halifax and Leigh Gillis (Paton Francis) of Bedford, her nieces, who were more like daughters, Vicki Gillis of Halifax, Sue Brown (Jason Brown) of Angevine Lake, and Jennifer Blier (Rob Blier) of Ottawa, nephew Lee Gillis (Barb March) of Tatamagouche, her grandchildren Brennan, Allie, and Jenna Turner, Ewan Francis, great niece Ally Blier, her rent-a-kids Leslie, Brent and Dwaine Urquhart, and many Cape Breton cousins. Anne was predeceased by her parents and brother Hugh MacDonald.
Anne was proud of her Cape Breton roots! She graduated from Riverview High School and would drive long distances for fiddle music and square dancing. The Cabot Trail was a driving route that never failed to bring her joy and she returned to her beloved island as often as life permitted. Anne was a strong and independent woman. She worked for 20 years as a legal secretary for Block, Prossin, and MacLean in Lower Sackville, NS and then as a proud public servant, working the balance of her career (over 20 years) with the RCMP Bible Hill detachment.
In her later years Anne became a world traveller; finding women of like mind to play bridge and tour the world’s best and lesser known locations. She loved to cruise the ocean as much as she loved long distance drives with her husband and caring friends, Peter and Melinda Tatty. But no matter the distance travelled, Anne always returned to the place she loved the most, her Village of Pugwash. Anne’s greatest joys were summer moments and sunsets with family, watching her grandchildren play, and winter days in the county socializing with her many friends, gaining the most that every day had to give.
Anne continuously thought of others and gave of herself always. She had a keen mind and would never miss the opportunity to deliver a good joke. When you were with Anne you would feel her kindness and be guaranteed of a laugh. Simply put, she was spirited, loving, generous, and funny as hell. Her living light will be missed by all who knew her, but in death the love of her soul will be shared by all.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Mundle’s Funeral Home, 204 Water St., Pugwash, NS, (902) 243-2506. Visitation will be held on Oct. 30th (6-9pm) at Mundle’s Funeral Home. Her life will be celebrated with a service at Wesley St. Matthew’s United Church at 11:30am on Thursday, October 31st, 2019 , followed by a reception for all in attendance in the church hall. Family will join the reception following a private interment of ashes, which will take place immediately following the funeral service at Palmerston Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, Heart & Stroke Foundation, Parkinson’s Foundation, or a charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the funeral home website at www.mmcfunerals.com
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Anne Christine Gillis November 03 1944 October 26 2019..
Death notice for the town of: Tatamagouche, Province: Nova Scotia