Kerry Louise Anderson-Gillman

Our darling Kerry died peacefully at home on January 15th, 2016, in the place she loved best, surrounded by those who loved her.

Kerry was a loving wife to Lawrence Gillman and mommy to Sophie 6, Michael 5, Jack 3 and Claire 1. She was the cherished daughter of Ann and Chris Anderson and loving sister to Amy.

Kerry was born in Chingola, Zambia on September 7th, 1976. She returned to England with her parents in 1977, just in time for the birth of her sister Amy. In 1980, the family emigrated from the United Kingdom and settled in Winnipeg. She graduated from St Boniface Diocesan High School in 1994. Kerry then attended the University of Winnipeg and obtained a BA. Not long after, she chose to follow in her mother’s footsteps and enrolled in the Nursing Program at the University of Manitoba from which she graduated with a BN in 2003.

It was during her senior practicum experience on a surgical unit at St Boniface Hospital that she met her future husband Lawrence. Kerry and Lawrence were soul mates and married in 2008. After spending two years living in Calgary following their wedding they returned to settle in Winnipeg in 2010.

Throughout her life Kerry dreamed of starting a family. Her dreams were realized with the birth of Sophie in 2009, followed closely by Michael in 2010 and Jack in 2012. Having always wanted a second girl, she was overjoyed with the birth of her angel Claire in 2014. Kerry excelled as a mom. Her endless energy and patience created a warm and inviting household filled with love. Despite her illness over the past year, Kerry succeeded in maintaining normalcy in the children’s lives even in the face of potential chaos. The kids’ resilience and strength are a testament to her extraordinary parenting abilities. She may have only been in their lives for a short period of time, but already provided them with a foundation that will last a lifetime.

Thank you to the amazing staff at Cancer Care Manitoba, the WRHA Palliative Care Program and all the staff and Kerry's' former co-workers in the Health Science Centre emergency department for your wonderful care. A special thank you to Drs. Marshall Pitz, Bruce Martin, Pam Hebbard, Belynda Salter-Oliver, Kerry's nurse Trish, and Jill Taylor-Brown who went above and beyond caring for Kerry. We truly have an amazing health care system. Thank you as well, to all those who have already reached out to support us through these tough times.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at Holy Rosary Parish Church, 510 River Ave, with Father Sam Argenziano officiating.

Kerry always loved the Teddy Bears' Picnic. Whether as a child, a volunteer or more recently a mom, it was a highlight on her calendar each year. An endowment fund has been set up with the Children's Hospital Foundation in Kerry's name that will be used to purchase supplies and support the Dr. Goodbear Clinic tent and the Teddy Bears’ Picnic in perpetuity. Memorial donations may be made to The Kerry Anderson-Gillman Endowment Fund at the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba, CE501 – 840 Sherbrook St. Winnipeg, MB, R3A 1S1 or at www.goodbear.mb.ca.