“What’s the news today?” Mom would ask. Well Mom, the news is this: You passed today, from this world to the next, on July 19th, 2022 at the Cove Guest Home with family members beside you. You had had your lunch, and you went very quietly and peacefully. At 90, you asked “ What am I doing here?” . Today we ask why have you left us? These questions may never be answered. But we do know some things Mom:
You were born on December 17,1924 at New Waterford. And while we are sad and mourn your passing, we are secure in the knowledge that a great welcome had been arranged for you in the heaven you so prepared for. There to meet you are your husband and our father, John J., your parents Ronald and Annie (nee MacIntyre) Gillis, Daddy’s parents, James W. and Mary Sarah (nee MacNeil) MacDonald, your sibling sisters and their spouses, Sarah and Archie MacFarlane, Martha and Danny MacKinnon, Theresa and Stanley Krszwda, your brothers, Joseph and Johnnie, your sister-in-laws and their spouses, Marie and James Walsh, Margaret and Ed Paruch, Refina and George MacNeil, Catherine and Angus MacLellan, your brother- in-law, Norman and his spouse Margaret, your brothers-in-law, Bernard MacDonald and Henry Lefort and your sons, Roderick Joseph and Ronald James.
Leaving to mourn your passing are us your children, Vern (Patricia), Sydney, Marlene (Sheldon MacInnes) East Bay, Joan, East Bay, George, East Bay and Evelyn (John MAcGillivray), Calgary along with your grandchildren, Elizabeth Ann, Halifax, Shaun (Kayla), Sydney; Evan, Calgary, Meagan, Calgary; Catherine (Conor), UK, Julia, Saskatoon, Johnny (Chantelle), Calgary; as well as your brother, James Daniel (Jimmy), Sydney and sisters-in-law, Irene Lefort, Antigonish, Mary MacDonald, Oshawa and Gloria (Alfred)Youden, Sydney. Many cousins and other relatives near and far will as well mourn your passing Mom.
As you know Mom, you were not favoured with any institutional degrees, but we were aware of your many talents in raising our family of seven children, a husband and a grandfather in our home over many years with frugal resources and a mini farm to manage. To your credit, all ran very well, and there were always “leftovers”, be that food, clothing or money. When the need arose however you did not hesitate to take employment outside the home. So it was that you became employed at Ski Ben Eoin, the bakery at Sydney River ( you were well known as an excellent baker extending from your time spent at Eastern Bakeries prior to your marriage),Tasty Treat and still later as a nannie and a housekeeper. All of this was to provide for the family’s need and the successful operation of the household.
You were also our first teacher, accountant and longest and best supporter in our lives. Your religious faith was strong and consistent, prayers were always said and though you did not wear a“clerical collar” your “holy water” blessings before thunderstorms and trips, saved us we are confident from many mishaps. We were so blessed to have you all these years in our lives!
We knew you as “Mom”, our Queen of Peace. Many others knew and loved you as a fundraiser for the schools, active member and supporter of St. Mary’s Parish and the CWL for seventy four years, active member of the East Bay Firehall Auxiliary, ardent tarabish player and backstop over many years for children’s activities from baseball and hockey to girl guides and scouts. Guests from all over the world, strangers, and many children were always warmly greeted with tea, biscuits, home made apple pie and home made preserves and other goodies at our home. You supplied comfort to more than a few people in distress such as the late Mrs. Donald Marshall Sr. (she never forgot the cup of tea and food provided to her). And so Mom, you leave us and you leave the community with many, many happy memories.
Your grandchildren Mom have a well ensconced memory of their Grammie from drinking a first beer, to playing tarabish, to catching a first trout at MacAdam’s Lake, to tea at Rita’s Tea Room, to family gatherings at Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Sunday dinners, to doing a hike on the trails in Calgary along with other celebrations at the East Bay sand bar and North Bay Beach, Ingonish to list just a few of these significant events. They will all survive because of photos taken of these special occasions shared over the miles and the years.
We wanted to provide and hopefully did provide you Mom with all the tender loving care you so richly deserved during these last years and even after you took up residence at the Cove. While at the Cove you resided in the Orchard Unit. There, the care and health givers provided you with singular care, especially during but as well before and after the “pandemic”. You were favoured with many “guardian angels” in the unit. So we thank everyone for all the kind and empathetic attention they gave you. It enabled you to enjoy life in a way and manner that you otherwise would not have had while residing at the Cove. So Mom that is all part of your “News”.
The other “News” Mom is that arrangements have been made for a visitation to take place at T.W.Curry’s Parkview Chapel on Tuesday, August 2 between the hours of 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to T.W. Curry’s and a mass to celebrate your life will be held at St. Mary's Church, East Bay, Thursday, August 4 at 11am, with Father Anthony O' Connor officiating. For those not able to attend, the service will be livestreamed via T.W. Curry’s facebook page. Memories and condolences may be left by visiting www.twcurry.com.
So Mom it is with all our love that we will take you to your rest in the full knowledge that you earned it. Rest in peace Mom!
