Helen Marlene Gillis
Helen Marlene (Munroe) Gillis, surrounded by her family, passed peacefully at St. Joseph’s Hospice in Sarnia, on Wednesday, May 23, 2012, at the age of 78, after a valiant six-year second battle with breast cancer.
Marlene is mourned by her six sons and their families: Mike and Frances (Sarnia), Glenn and Myra (East York), Randy and Sandra (Calgary), Tim (Kelly) (Scarborough), Jeff (Jackson Point), and Larry and Janice (Courtice), and sadly missed by her 14 grandchildren: Kate, Kimberly, Robert, and David; Stephen, Heather, and Jennifer; Bryan, Jonathan, and Alannah; Sarah and Hayley; Jason and Jane. She was predeceased by her husband and best friend of 47 years, Doug (2001), her brother Richard Munroe, her mother Jessie Munroe (Tupper) and father Cameron Munro.
She is survived by her sister Hannah (Donald Dunn) of Hopewell, Nova Scotia; sisters-in-law Laurie Munroe-Montero and Helen Gillis, and several nieces and nephews: Gary, Linda, John Dixon; Brenda, James, and Barry Gillis, Robert Gillis, Shanna Dunn-Hoare, Troy and Thad Dunn; Josh, and Zach Munroe.
Predeceased by brothers-in-law Victor (Margaret) Gillis and William Gillis, and sisters-in-law Edna (John (Sonny) Dixon) and Irma (Al Vincent) Gillis and nephew Jimmy Gillis.
Marlene was born on July 12, 1933, in Hopewell, Nova Scotia. At age 18 she moved to Toronto where she met and married Doug Gillis. Together they worked hard and raised six boys into six good men and fathers. Marlene and Doug retired to North Rustico, PEI in 1988, where Doug built a beautiful home for them on the shores of the Hunter River, and they wintered and golfed and made good friends in Florida until the time of Doug’s death. Shortly after, Marlene moved to Sarnia to be closer to family. She met many wonderful, supportive and active friends through the Newcomers Club, and walked many miles daily along the waterfront and tree-lined streets of Sarnia. Marlene was on a friendly first name basis with all the people she interacted with daily. She loved to travel, and took many day trips, and was lucky at Bingo or the Casino when she played! She enjoyed doing needlework and crafts, and she fashioned beautiful quilts for all of her children and grandchildren, smocked dresses, and lovely crocheted baby clothes and blankets. Marlene loved to cook and entertain, and had a good sense of humour. She was a treasure to her family and friends.
The family would like to thank Dr’s Dostaler, Maddison and Yoshida, the staff at the Sarnia Cancer Clinic and CCAC, the many skilled VON nurses (especially Kim) and the Hospice staff and volunteers for their compassionate care. Marlene was a very strong woman, and you supported her independence for as long as possible, which she valued and appreciated greatly.
At Marlene’s request, cremation has taken place, with interment at a later date beside her husband in Historic Orwell Corners Cemetery, in Uigg, PEI.
A memorial reception will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 2, 2012, at the SMITH FAMILY CENTRE, 1576 London Line, Sarnia, to share stories and celebrate a life well-lived.
If desired, donations may be made in Marlene’s name to St. Joseph’s Hospice, the Canadian Cancer Society, or the Heart & Stroke Foundation (cheques only at the funeral home please).
Memories and condolences may be sent online at www.smithfuneralhome.ca
“We are glad that she is at peace, but you are never old enough to lose your mom.”