Obituary of Martha M. Gillis, New Waterford

It is with broken hearts we give back to God one of his most beautiful creations, Martha M. Gillis, on Tuesday, November 21, 2017.

Born in New Waterford, she was the daughter of the late Duncan and Mary Jennet (Hawley) Currie.

Mom was a member of the Parish Church of St. leonard, as well as at one time, an active member of the C.W.L. Her faith and love for God never wavered and her greatest pride was being blessed with a wonderful husband and her 12 babies. Mom never felt she had to leave home to experience an entertaining evening, as we always had something going on to keep her amused and busy. But, she always considered this a blessing, because giving to us all she had of herself and keeping us safe, was her greatest joy. Her favorite saying was that she would do it all over again and not change a single thing. Right up until the end, her fear was not for herself, but for leaving us with broken hearts and her not being here to help us through the loss. Her kind, compassionate and loving nature is something we, her children, will both mourn and rejoice for the rest of our lives. May 'God Bless you Mom' and may he keep you safe.

Martha is survived by eight of her nine daughters, Mary (Paul) Currie, Lydia MacLeod, Patricia (Eric) Sutherland, Pauline Aucoin, Josie (Blair) Locke, Susie (Paul) Hines, Jeannie (Jamie) Stevens and Marcie (Joe) Williams; three sons, Sandy (Janice), Bobby (Laurie) and Duncan (Lynne); 29 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren.

Mom was predeceased by the love of her heart, her husband, Alexander Gillis, her daughter and son-in-law, Jenny and Patrick Usher, son-in-law, Donald MacLeod and two great-grandchildren, Marie and Bergen. Mom was also predeceased by sisters, Margaret Boutilier, Mary Anna Murray and brothers, William, John, Duncan, Gerald, and Al. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. 

Visitation will be held on Friday, November 24, 2017 from 5-9 p.m. in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith Street, New Waterford. The funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, November 25, at 10 a.m. in the Parish Church of St. Leonard, Mount Carmel Avenue, with Father Ray Huntley officiating. Burial will be in St. Agnes Cemetery with a luncheon to follow at St. Leonard's Parish Hall, Convent Street, New Waterford. As an expression of sympathy for Mom, donations in her memory may be made to support ' Nora's House ' or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.