Obituary of Florence Gillis

With sadden hearts we announce the passing of Florence Gillis, age 92 on Saturday May 7, 2016 at Seaview Manor surrounded by her loving family. Born in New Victoria, she was the youngest daughter of the late Angus and Esther (Mackie) MacDonald. As a young girl Florence worked for the Dominion Coal Company, where she met and married her forever love the late Joseph Gillis. Caring for her home and family was her true vocation. Summers at the Bungalow in East Bay with her boys and a good card game around the table brought her the most joy and treasured memories. She had a great appreciation for nature’s beauty and often captured it in oil paintings. She was a woman of great faith and prayer, who could always enjoy a good laugh and a good debate. She will be sadly missed by her sister and best friend, Agnes (Sis) MacDonald, son, Frank (Irene), granddaughters, Caelin (Garett Lahey), Bhreagh (Spencer Green), and grandson, Cale, a very special great-granddaughter, Rowan Lahey, nieces, Marion MacDonald, Joanne Abel (Don), Linda Burshell (Patrick), Agnes Miller (Bruce), Trixie, and Betty Ann MacDonald (Bob), nephews, John David (Donna), John Hugh (Marilyn), Ronnie (Marlene) and Greg. She was predeceased by her sons, Donnie and a child in infancy, her brothers, John, Tom, Angus Jr, Phonse, Dan and John Hugh (Buddie), her sisters, Mary (Manie) Murphy and Margaret, her niece, Pamela Trodel, and nephew, Lawlor MacDonald. Cremation has taken place under the direction of V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, Glace Bay. A funeral mass in celebration of Florence’s life will be held Tuesday May 10, 2016 at 11:00am in Holy Cross Church, Glace Bay followed by a reception in the church hall. Father Norman McPhee officiating. On line condolences to the family can be expressed at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca Words cannot express our thankfulness to the staff of Seaview Manor for the care and love given to Florence over the past two years and especially during her last week. Your compassion brought such comfort to both Florence and her family as she walked her last journey surrounded in loving care. "Nana, you will be forever in our hearts."