Mariane Allison GILLAN

GILLAN, Mariane Allison (Mawhinney)
Wife, mother, journalist and politician, formerly of Hamilton and Sutton, Ontario, died in her home in Kingston, surrounded by her family on August 26, 1998. Much loved and esteemed by her late husband Michael R. Gillan and her children Michael C. Gillan of Ottawa (Sen. Joyce Fairbairn) and Elizabeth (Betsey) (Rev. J. Terry McNear) of Kingston. Mariane was born in Toronto on March 21, 1911 to Elizabeth and Charles Mawhinney. She was predeceased by brother Gordon Mawhinney and two sisters Averil (Mrs. Gordon Stanton) and Alice (Mrs. Jack Stewart). She was a news correspondent for the Newmarket Era and Express and the Toronto Telegram for Lake Simcoe south shore; founding member of the Sutton, Ontario, Canadian Cancer Society's unit; board member and active volunteer of York County Hospital; a member of the York County Children's Aid Society Board and York County Board of Education; a member of St. James Anglican Church, where she taught Sunday School and led the youth group; president of the Sutton Curling Club and the Sutton Kinettes and a strong supporter of the Red Barn Theatre during its formative years. Mariane was a member of Sutton Village Council, was elected Deputy Reeve and in 1963 became the first woman Reeve. Perhaps her greatest challenge came in 1969 when her husband was left paralyzed and without speech by a major stroke at age 58. Their joint efforst at rehabilitation restored many of his motor and speech abilities so that he enjoyed another 19 years of quality life. In 1977 they returned to Hamilton where she became an active member of the Church of the Ascension where she and Mack had been married. To be closer to her family, Mariane moved to Kingston in 1993. Kingston was the birthplace of her father, Charles Pillar Mawhinney, who was born in Fort Henry in 1878, son of an artillery instructor at RMC. She became a member of St. John's Anglican Church, Portsmouth. Besides her children and their spouses, she was loved by four grandchildren: Elizabeth Rozon (Nelson) of Keewatin; Christina Glazebrook (Alan) of Caledonia; Michael McNear of Sioux Lookout and Timothy (Sherry) of Ear Falls; and four great-grandchildren: Dezarae and Nathan Rozon; Sean and Nikki McNear; and nieces Beverley Nagy (Les) of Hamilton and Alison Gloyd (Birge) of Selkirk. Mariane would want to thank her good friend Avery Westman of Kingston, who comforted her care during recent months; the staff at St. Lawrence Place; and all of her caregivers, including Hospice Kingston and her family doctor, Dr. Hugh Langley. Instead of flowers, those wishing to honour Mariane's life should consider a donation or a volunteer contribution to a Christian Church or a Community Service organization. Funeral service will be held in Sutton, Ontario at St. James Anglican Church, on Saturday, August 29 at 10:30 a.m. with burial at St. George's Church Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at St. John's Church, Kingston on Friday, September 4th at 11:00 a.m.