Obituary of Alma Blanche Gillis

It is with sadness, that we the family, announce the passing of our loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, aunt and friend, Alma Blanche Gillis. Mom passed away peacefully with her loving family by her side, on Friday, June 17, 2016, at Seaview Manor, Glace Bay, where she resided for the past four years. Born in Burgeo, Newfoundland, Mom was the daughter of the late John and Melida (Anderson) Kendall and was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Alma was a longtime resident of River Ryan and during these years she was a devoted member of St. Michael’s Church, and more recently St. Leonard’s Church, New Waterford. Mom had a big heart and was a very generous person; she was also a great judge of character and had a great sense of both wonder and humor. She also enjoyed entertaining, especially cooking and baking for her family and friends; quoting our Dad, "She was the best cook and baker in the world", and the more people that were gathered together, the more she loved it. She was an excellent seamstress, making most of our clothes in our younger years. She also enjoyed quilting and knitting; she was rarely seen without her knitting needles, making endless amounts of hats, scarves ,mittens and socks for her family and donating the same to several local groups to give to children in need. Mom was always very happy and content with her life; she will be forever remembered as "The best Mom in the world". Alma will be sadly missed by her loving children; daughters, Judy Knox, Berwick NS; Linda (Mel) McIsaac, Valley, NS; Colleen Gillis, River Ryan; sons Raymond (Lorraine), Scotchtown; George (Miriam), Antigonish; son in-law Harvey Power, Dartmouth. She will also be sadly missed by her nine cherished grandchildren, Raylyn, Wendy, Danny, Dawn Marie, Melinda, Lori, Norman, Raymond, Patricia; 12 great- grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and friends. Besides her parents, Mom was also predeceased by her loving husband of 71 years, Collin Bernard Gillis; daughter Sharon Power; son in-law Wayne Knox; brother, Rev. George (Lyla) Kendall; sisters, Hilda (Ray) Sellars, Myrtle (Sam) Harris, Ellen (Eugene) King, Grace (Gerald) Murphy, Mabel (Jacob) Anderson and May (Jim) Dalton. There will be no visitation. Cremation has taken place under the care and direction of V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith Street, New Waterford. The Funeral Mass, officiated by Fr. Ray Huntley will be celebrated 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 22, 2016, in St. Leonard’s Church, Mt. Carmel Ave., New Waterford. Interment will be in St. Michael’s Cemetery, River Ryan. A luncheon will follow in St. Leonard’s Parish Hall, Convent Street, New Waterford. Family flowers only. As an expression of sympathy for Alma, memorial donations in her memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society, Seaview Manor or a charity of one’s choice. On line condolences to the Gillis family are available through www.vjmcgillivray.ca