Sandra Lee Gillies

Sandy was born on July 16, 1937 in Nantucket, MA at the original Cottage Hospital to the late George M. L. and Sarah Gill. She grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut and attended Wellesley College where she graduated with a BSN/RN. Sandy married Donald C. Gillies on June 3, 1961; with whom she thoroughly enjoyed 64 years of devoted marriage. She found her deepest joy in her marriage, in caring for her family and others, and in her steadfast faith in God. Sandy cherished gatherings that brought loved ones together, and she touched countless lives through her kindness, generosity, and strength of spirit.

Sandy spent many summers on Nantucket prior to moving there in 1979 with her family. As a registered nurse, she worked in the ICU at South Shore Hospital, at Our Island Home and as a school nurse at St. Paul the VI High School. Her love for music led her to lead the Folk Group at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on the island for several years until Don’s commitment to the Navy called him back to active duty at the Pentagon. Once there, Sandy continued to serve and sing in their new church, Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Annandale, VA. From Girl Scout to Troop Leader, Sandy dedicated years to the Girl Scout mission, mentoring her daughters and their peers with wisdom and spirit. Mum, as she was known to her kids, was always silently conducting from behind the scenes while allowing her children to make their own way in the world. She was considered the family historian and could be relied upon to remember the hidden details that made up our family’s story.

Sandy is survived by her husband Donald and her eight children and their spouses; Anne (Chip), Jim (Traci), Helen (George), Peter (Mary), Tomm (Lesli), Mike (Renee), John (Allie), and Debbie (Mike). She loved and enjoyed the adventures of her eighteen grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Janet Gillies and Linda Gillies.

Sandy was predeceased by her parents as well as her sister and her husband, Carole and Shirley Browning. She was also predeceased by her parents-in-law Charles and Marjorie Gillies, her two brothers-in-law Richard W. Gillies and Charles Gregory Gillies; as well as sisters-in-law Barbara Gillies and Saran B. Gillies.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday March 21, 2026 at 1:30pm at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 8800 Braddock Road, Annandale, Virginia. Visiting hours will be Saturday, March 21, 2026 from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm at the Demaine Funeral Home 5308 Backlick Road, Springfield, Virginia. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to one of the following: the Bishop of the Diocese of Arlington Virginia, the Girl Scout Council of the Nations Capital, or the St. Mary, Our Lady of the Isle Catholic Church of Nantucket Massachusetts.