Eileen Gillis

Funeral service for the late Eileen Gillis, 89, Antigonish, was held December 29 in St. Ninian’s Cathedral, Antigonish. Mrs. Gillis died December 25, 2018. Born in Fairmont, Antigonish, she was the sixth of 11 children of the late Hugh A. and Maggie Anne MacDonald. At 18, she married her great love John Alex Gillis and together they nurtured a legacy of kindness, generosity and love. Over the years they warmly invited many into their Brookland Street home and lives. She had a special gift of making everyone feel welcome as a part of the family. She was a woman of great faith and a member of Catholic Women’s League for more than 60 years. She was one of the first women managers of Eaton’s Catalogue Sales Office and worked at the local store, until it closed in 1976. She then worked as a PCW at the R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home until her retirement. She was a talented gardener who created many beautiful gardens. She loved flowers, and the balance and serenity of nature. She had a radiant and playful smile that lit up the room and warmed the heart. She was devoted to her family and friends and gave fully of herself in everything she did. She took great pride in her children, grandchildren, and great grandchild. She enthusiastically supported them all in their academic or extracurricular activities. She was looking forward to the imminent birth of two more great-grandchildren. She imparted the most important blessings you can give: words that encourage, hands that help, and a heart that loves unconditionally. She was truly a unique individual who was able to live these words throughout her life. She was a remarkable woman: kind, hardworking, determined, resourceful, dependable and generous. She provided love, humour, support, and encouragement for her children and her grandchildren. In doing so she nurtured a strong sense of family encouraging her grandchildren to develop strong relationships that make them more like siblings rather than cousins. She will never be forgotten. Her spirit and legacy are imbedded in her family. She will be remembered wherever we hear a hearty laugh or see in them her beautiful eyes and smile. We will hear her in a witty line. We will see her when we look at a beautiful flower, or when leaves are raked and piled. We will see her when we watch a sporting event, especially hockey. We will see her whenever we see anybody overcome adversity. We will see her when we see acts of kindness. She lived her life with the admirable traits of being able to see the best, overcome the worst and to enjoy life to its fullest. Sow seeds of kindness and you will have a perpetual harvest. She has sown the seeds, and we are all the better for this; we are her best garden. She is survived by four children, Deborah Gillis (Ron McIsaac), Bedford; Bernie Gillis (Georgina Decoste), Antigonish; Andrea Gillis (David Murray), Halifax; Myrna Gillis (Geri Casey), Glen Haven; nine grandchildren, Christena McIsaac (Brad Olsen), Halifax; Ian McIsaac (Stephanie George), Winnipeg and Truro; Elizabeth McIsaac (Dr. Ian R. Macdonald), Halifax; Kyle Gillis, Halifax; Erin Gillis, Bedford; Jeremy Gillis (Jensyn Doyle), Halifax; Adrian Murray (Laura Geddes), London, Ontario; Moira Murray, Toronto; Ben Gillis, Halifax; great-grandson, Gavin Murray; three siblings, Betty Conroy (late Bill) Cohasset Mass.; Valeta Perdigao, (late Manuel) Cohasset, Mass.; John ‘Farmer’ MacDonald (late Pat) Camino Island, Washington; two sisters-in-law, Martha MacDonald (late Eugene) Lakevale; Maggie MacDonald (late Francis); brother-in-law, Alex Perdigao (late Lucy) Center Harbor, N.H.; many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, John Alex Gillis; three children, Allan, Myra, Elaine; parents-in-law; eight siblings, Roderick, Francis, Mary Kay (late Des) Chabot, Eugene, Rev. Bernard A., Billy (late Jessie), Lucy Perdigao. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society.