Iris Elaine Gillespie
Born In: SYDNEY, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed in: SYDNEY, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: November 20th, 2011
Loving wife, mother and grandmother, Iris Elaine Gillespie, 71, 289 Lisgard St., Sydney, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011, at the VG Hospital in Halifax.
Born in Sydney, she was the daughter of the late Michael and Evelyn (Duguid) MacGillivary.
Iris was a member of Bethel Presbyterian Church, Sydney.
She spent nearly 40 years as a registered nurse, training and making lifelong friends at Sydney City Hospital and spending most of her career bringing lives into the world in the maternity ward at St. Rita Hospital.
Surviving are her husband of 48 years, Gordon; daughter, Jennifer (John) Cotterill, Halifax; sons, Gordon Jr., at home, Stephen (Wendy Clarke), Sydney River, and Kenny (Wendy), Sydney; sisters, Geraldine (Earl) MacLeod and Joan Jessome, both of Sydney; grandchildren, Matthew and Leah Gillespie, Jack Gillespie and Jamie and Kellie Cotterill; nieces, cousins; uncle, Kenny MacKenzie, Kitchener Ont.; aunt, Elta Duguid, Moncton N.B. and close friend, Velma Burke.
Iris was predeceased by her brother, Dennis, sister-in-law, Burnadette MacGillivary and brother-in-law, Louis Jessome.
Iris cherished every minute she spent with her family and friends. She was always the first to lend a hand and that hand print remains embedded on the hearts of many.
We miss you mommy, nannie, nannie ‘I’, grandmie — you’re in our hearts, our memories and spirit forever.
Visitation will take place at Sydney Memorial Chapel on Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A funeral service will be held at Bethel Presbyterian Church on Thursday, 11 a.m. with Rev. Robert Lyle officiating. Interment in Forest Haven Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation or the MS Society of Canada.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca or e-mail sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca.
