Anna was born on January 7, 1937 to the late Joseph Alex and Annie Mary (Currie) Gillis of Victoria Bridge. She began a teaching career, at the age of 17, that spanned for decades ending in 1992 with early retirement from Coxheath Elementary School. Anna was an active member of Sacred Heart Ladies Auxiliary, the Marion Bridge Fire Department Auxiliary and a frequent volunteer for all Marion Bridge Community events; If she couldn’t be there in person, she would send some of the best pies ever created. She was a woman who loved retirement: lunches with the Mira girls, dinners with the retired teachers, traveling with girlfriends, tarabish nights and spoiling her adoring grandchildren. She loved co- hosting dinners at the old house in French Road and the famous meals on wheels deliveries to the family cottage at Victoria Bridge.
Anna married Archie MacPhee on July 4th, 1959 at St Margaret’s Parish in Grand Mira and settled in French Road. Over a period of 58 years, they taught their children and grandchildren the importance of family, community and dedication to both. Archie passed in April 2017.
Anna is survived by her five children and 12 grandchildren; Joanne (Angus MacQueen) and their children, Janel and Meaghan (Justin) all of Sydney; Catherine (Brian Nicholson) and their children, Nathan (Liz), Florida and Tyler (Christine), Toronto; Sandra (Lawrence Alexander) and their children, Nicole (Devin), Fiona, Stephanie (Nikki), and Matthew all of Toronto; Laureen (Ron Cooper) and their children Danielle (Justin), Boston and Andrea (Michael), Alexandria, Virginia; Vincent (Michele) and their children, Brianna and Allie, Sydney. She was also the incredibly proud GG to Carter, Cooper, Isobel, Hudson, Rosie and Miles. She is also survived by her sisters, Rosemary (Howie Hasiuk), Halifax; Barbara (Bob MacLean); Leona, Halifax and her brother Lloyd (Diane), Burnaby and Archie’s family; Danny (Liz); Fr. Norman; Stephen (Judy), Ottawa; Al (Mary), Dartmouth; Theresa (Murray MacKinnon), Halifax; Sadie (Dennis Kerr), Dartmouth.
Besides her parents and her husband, Archie, Anna was predeceased by a grandson in infancy, Christopher Nicholson; her brother, Sylvester; her brothers in law; Everett Telfer and John, Malcolm, Bonnie and Vincent MacPhee; her sisters in law; Mary Gillis, Anne Gillis and Sadie MacPhee.
In memory of our Mom, do a good deed, take someone to lunch, call an old friend or buy an impromptu gift (on sale, of course).
The Wake will be held at TW Curry Parkview Chapel on Friday, Oct 15th from 3-5 pm and 7-9 pm.
Funeral services will be held at St Margaret’s Parish, Grand Mira at 2pm on Saturday, Oct 16.
St Margaret’s church will be at full capacity. Vaccination proof and masks are mandatory.
To leave memories and condolences for the family please visit www.twcurry.com
