GILLIS, Marjorie Elizabeth
(nee McGurran)
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother, Marjorie Elizabeth Gillis on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 in her 95th year. Our sweet gentle mother was born in Nokomis, Saskatchewan on January 29, 1921, the fourth child of Josephine and Daniel McGurran. She lived there with her family until the depression when the dust-bowl drove them off their farm and into the city. Mom stayed behind with her Grandmother and Aunt Kate, an event that shaped her view that kindness and support is the only response to situations where good hardworking people are impacted by world events. She had a lifelong empathy and love for children. She reunited with her family after the death of her grandmother and went to high school in Saskatoon. Marj spent the war years working in Toronto but moved to Vancouver in the late 40's where she met her husband, AJ Gillis, on a blind date, they got engaged that same week. They married in 1948 and their five children followed, as did a move to Winnipeg in 1958 and Ottawa in 1969. She claimed the favorite years of her life were raising her children and she embodied all the best qualities of the Great Canadian Mom. Our homes on Autumnwood Drive in Winnipeg and Biscayne Crescent in Ottawa were always open to family and friends and all of us remember the smell of her homemade bread and cinnamon buns and the free-for-all Friday nights with her children and their friends around the kitchen table. The open- house was literal, when she sold the house in the 90's, Mom last remembered seeing the keys in the early 70's. After AJ died in 1994, Marj moved to downtown Ottawa where she volunteered to drive older people (many younger than her) and travelled around the Capital with her spoiled and ill-behaved dog, Hamish (unlovingly referred to as our brother Hamish)-the Senior Citizen on foot and the dog in the shopping basket. She focused on her family, took up painting in her 70's and remained independent until her 89th year, when to her great delight, she moved in with daughter Gail and Son-in- law Andrew. The family wants to thank Gail and Andrew for making her last years so happy and for caring for her so lovingly as her health declined. In the last years of her life she showed us all that you can have quality of life while living with dementia. She will be remembered always by her 5 grateful children: Kathy Grieve (Ross), Hugh Gillis (Cynthia), Gail Gillis (Andrew Burpee), Margaret Gillis (Scott Fletcher) and Doug Gillis (Lynn Robinson). Her grandchildren: Noah Jones, Matthew Grieve, Alexander, Brigid and Patrick Gillis, Jaclyn Harder, Kevin and Isabella Fletcher, Jake, Megan, Emma, and Jordan Gillis and to her recent joy, her great-grandchildren Jordyn Jones, Nikhaya Cover, Ryder, Finn and Leo Jones and Scarlett and Harrison Grieve. Marjorie was predeceased by her husband Alexander Joseph (AJ) Gillis, heartbreakingly by her beloved granddaughter Tessa Harder, by her parents Josephine and Daniel McGurran, her close sisters and members of the Sunday phone-call club, Agnes Deane, Marie Burwash and Hilda Babineau, her wonderful brothers John and Tom McGurran and by her lifelong friend and sister-in-law Bea McGurran. She leaves behind her brothers-in- law Jim (Peggy) Gillis of Margaree Cape Breton and Gordon Babineau of Victoria and her many nieces and nephews. The family wants to warmly thank her caregivers, Helen Hung and Aline Cleroux. As well, heartfelt thanks to Dr. Kiran Rabheru for his wonderful care the last few years and to Dr. Luc Duschene for giving her a gentle exit. Friends and Family may visit at
Kelly Funeral Home, Somerset Chapel
585 Somerset St. W., Ottawa, ON, K1R 5K1
613-235-6712, www.kellyfh.ca
on Thursday, May 12, 2016 from 5-8 p.m. Funeral Friday to Saint Patrick's Basilica (Kent at Nepean) for Mass of Christian Funeral at 10:00 a.m. Interment Capital Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the International Longevity Centre Canada, University of Ottawa, alumni.uOttawa.ca/en/Marjorie-E- Gillis
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
15 Entries
June 4, 2016
What a beautiful tribute to your mother, she was a lovely lady and it was a pleasure knowing her.
May 17, 2016
Laura Leigh Brook (MacIver)
Condolences and hugs to the whole family ...your mum was a special lady and I have very fond memories of our shared family times during your Windsor Park years....
May 17, 2016
Ian MacIver
What a wonderful, smart, honest, enjoyable woman to have known. Both as a friend to my mother, a friend to our family, her memory is seared into my head. Our families paths crossed in Windsor Park in the 60's. The moms and dads of Gillis(s), the Hovorka(s),the Gratton(s) and the MacIver(s)became quite a gang of friends. As a result, we got to experience Mrs. Gillis' warmth, generosity, charm and integrity up close. We also supped on her Yorkshire pudding. My god, I've never had better. Our own mother's y-p was crafted off the Marj recipe. It was fantastic too. However, I often wonder if Mrs. Gillis had withheld some tiny secret.
Knowing the Gillis family meant knowing the children. All the children were so blessed to have such a mom. I even thought it would be nice to be adopted. Having Kathy, Hugh, Gail, Margaret or little Doug as a sibling would be fantastic. I was so lucky to have spend the March '66 "Winnipeg Great Snow Storm" snowed in at 958 Autumnwood Drive. People (my male friends) were so jealous because I was lucky to be holed up with Kathy for a couple of days due to storm. What can I admit now! As gorgeous as Kathy was, the real treat was the warmth of spirit and good cooking of Mrs. Gillis.
I(we) were so fortunate to have my(our) life cross paths with Mr. and Mrs. Gillis et al.
My condolences are extended to the children and families. Had I learned of her passing in time, I would have been on a plane to pay last respects.
Mrs. Gillis and Al (AJ) were both such an influence in my life in the 60's.
May you rest in peace knowing you have left behind a legacy.
May 15, 2016
Bob Donnelly
Sorry for your loss - what a great lady!!!
May 15, 2016
Jackie Dragojevic
Very sorry for your loss. I have great memories of Aunty Marge and feel blessed to have two of her paintings hanging in my home. Much love, Jackie Dragojevic ( Goddaughter)
May 13, 2016
Doug and family:
Our sincere sympathies in the passing of your Mother we know she will be missed
so sorry we cannot be there in person
Irene & Jack May
May 13, 2016
My heartfelt condolences Gail to yourself and your family. The tribute to your mum was just beautiful and I felt I knew her just a little bit more.
Maggie
May 12, 2016
David Nehme
Hey Doug,
Sad to hear the passing of your Mother.
The end of a great era.
My deepest condolences.
May 12, 2016
Michel Bilodeau
My most sincere condolences for the loss of your mother
May 11, 2016
Dave Stroud
Marj was such a beautiful person. Always a smile and good wishes to anyone that came by. I lived across the corner on Biscayne and spent some memorable times with Al going over what needed going over. We'll miss them both, but the memories will never stop. Just beautiful people. I won't forget the red truck either, Doug...
May 11, 2016
Our sincere condolences. Claude Duguay and Pierrette Raymond.
May 11, 2016
John & Janice Kelly
To Doug and the entire Gillis Family,
Our heartfelt condolences to all of you. Your Mom was a beautiful women inside and out. I got to experience this first hand while working with your Dad (AJ). Marj had a way about her that made you feel very welcomed and comfortable. Her smile and laughter said it all. Many great happy hours were spent at Biscayne Crescent that will always be remembered. RIP Marj. Sincerely,
May 11, 2016
heather burpee
Dearest Marj was simply the best in every way. Her light shone brightly. Her presence in the room was reassuring. She was so kind and accepting of everyone. She was a true gem and she will be missed. Sending warm thoughts to you all.
Heather and Rob Burpee
May 11, 2016
Gordon Saunders
My thoughts are with You Gail, Andrew Margie and Scott.I`ll always remember that Kind Smile and Laugh She had for Me every day.
May 11, 2016
Beverly Howlett
To Doug, Lynn & family - our sincere condolences on the passing of your mom.
She was such a fine lady - and was always welcoming to your crazy friends Doug. God bless her.
Bob & Bev Howlett
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