Sister Aileen Gilis
Passed in: Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: October 7th, 2010
Sister Aileen Gillis, 81, formerly Sister John Francis, a Sister of St. Martha of Antigonish, died at Bethany, the Motherhouse on Oct. 7, 2010, in the 56th year of her religious life.
Born in Sydney, C.B., N.S., she was the daughter of the late John Alexander and Margaret Geraldine (Bates) Gillis.
Sister Aileen entered the Sisters of St. Martha on Aug.15, 1951, pronounced her first vows on Aug. 15, 1953, and made her perpetual commitment on Aug.15, 1956. She served in various health care institutions of the congregation, having received her nurses training at St. Joseph's School of Nursing, Hotel Dieu, Campbellton, New Brunswick, obtaining her R.N. in 1954. In 1959 Sister completed studies at the University of Toronto's University School of Nursing, with field work in paediatrics at the Hospital for Sick Children and at St. Joseph's Hospital. In 1965, Sister Aileen did further studies in paediatrics at Children's Hospital, Washington, D.C., and in 1973 received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Dalhousie University in Halifax. In 1976, Sister completed a two-year correspondence course in hospital organization and management with summer schools at University College in Winnipeg, Man.
In Nova Scotia, Sister Aileen ministered at St. Martha's Hospital in Antigonish, St. Joseph's Hospital in Glace Bay, New Waterford Consolidated Hospital and in the extended care unit at Bethany, where she also served as director of nursing care. In Alberta, Sister served at St. Michael's Hospital in Lethbridge and in Mineral Springs Hospital in Banff. Sister was community leader of the sisters in various nursing institutions and other convents where she lived. Sister Aileen retired from nursing service in 1983, yet continued to minister in administrative services at St. Martha's Regional Hospital, at Bethany and St. Andrews Convent in Antigonish Co. until August 2010.
Sister Aileen was the fifth oldest in a family of 13. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her sisters, Mary and Sister Anne, CND, and by her brothers, Fr. Lawrence 'Larry', Gerald, John Hugh, Cyril, Chris and Bernie.
She is survived by sisters, Jane and Sarah (Sally); and her brothers, Joseph and Ronald.
The remains rested at Bethany, beginning Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010, at 1:15 p.m., where a Celebration of Vigil was held on the same evening at 7:30 p.m. Liturgy of Christian Burial took place Monday, Oct. 11, 2010, at 2 p.m. in Bethany Chapel.
Arrangements are under the direction of C.L. Curry Funeral Home, Antigonish.
Online condolences www.clcurry.com.
