Kelly Anne MCGILLIS

McGILLIS, Kelly Anne
Died very peacefully on March 24, 2010 in Peterborough, Ontario at the age of 53, surrounded by loving family members and a priest. Beloved daughter of Joan Teresa McGillis and the late Donald Edward McGillis; predeceased by her loving grandparents Donald Angus and Catherine McGillis and Clare and Loretta Donnelly, and her dear uncles Gerald McGillis, James Donnelly, Timothy Donnelly and Jack McConkey. Kelly leaves in mourning her brothers and sisters who loved her deeply and will miss her so much: Donna (Jean-Claude Demers), Donald (Brenda), Steven (Susan), Michael, Mary (Robin Hawkins), Mark (Lorna), Rod (Lynne) and Joe (Jennifer). She will also be especially missed by our cousin John McConkey and our family friend Randy Spencer. Kelly was an exceptional aunt who showered unconditional love on her nieces and nephews, nurturing them and instilling in them her unbridled joy and love of life: Léandre and Charles Demers; Donald James, Brittainy and Jonathan McGillis; Tara, Troy, Jacob and Zack Hawkins; Brock, Morgan, Alana and Laurel McGillis; Riley and Tori McGillis; and Mitchell, Andy and Julia McGillis. All of her life, Kelly loved and enjoyed the company of our wonderful aunts, Sheila McConkey, Irene Rowan, Donna Sylvia McGillis and Mickey Donnelly, and our uncle Bill Rowan. Kelly will also be very sadly missed by her 33 first cousins, their families and her many dear friends, all of whom were extremely important in her life. Kelly graduated from Trent University with an Honours B.A. in history and the University of Western Ontario with a Masters degree in Library Science and a Masters degree in Journalism. After a lengthy career in Ottawa, Kelly returned to Peterborough in the late 1990's and devoted her remaining years to the loving care of our dear, ailing mother. During these years, Kelly hosted raucous and fun-filled family dinners and events. She wrote weekly columns for the Peterborough Examiner until her admission to Palliative Care. We would like to thank Kelly's closest friends Bruce Legge, Maureen Maloney, Peter Duffus, Carole Smale and Dave McMann who supported and helped her throughout her illness. We are also enormously and forever grateful to Dr. John Beamish, a truly exceptional physician, who helped to give Kelly the confidence and strength needed to face the final, difficult stages of her illness with acceptance and calmness of spirit. We also thank, from the bottom of our hearts, the compassionate and talented nurses in the Palliative Care Section of the Peterborough Regional Health Centre who cared for Kelly with great tenderness and guided her in her final days. Visitation will be held on Monday, March 29 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the DUFFUS FUNERAL HOME, 431 George Street South, Peterborough. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at the CATHEDRAL OF ST. PETER-IN- CHAINS, 411 Reid Street, Peterborough on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 at 10 a.m. Interment will take place at St. Peter's Cemetery after the Mass. Family and friends are invited to a reception at the Holiday Inn Peterborough Waterfront, 150 George Street North, Peterborough from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society, the Peterborough Regional Health Centre - Palliative Care Section, or the charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated. On-line condolences can be made at www.duffusfuneralhome.com