Obituary of Sarah Jessie "Sally" Gillis

GILLIS, Sarah Jessie 'Sally' - The death of Sarah Jessie 'Sally' Gillis of West Bay Marshes and formerly of Port Hawkesbury, occurred in her 88th year in Port Hawkesbury Nursing Home. Sally was born in Cleveland, Richmond Co. and was the daughter of Dan J. and Christena (Lamey) MacCormack. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Hugh John Gillis. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family, being predeceased by five brothers, Alex John, William, Bernard, Francis and Dan J.; sister, Catherine (William Fraser), and four stepsiblings. Sally attended Grantville School and went on to teach at the same school for a brief period. She relocated to Massachusetts where she worked in various occupations. She was employed for many years as an accountant with Liberty Mutual Insurance Company in Boston. She returned to Cape Breton with her family in 1960 where she was employed with the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism for 11 years, six as manager of the Tourist Information Centre in Port Hastings. Sally also worked alongside her husband in a family owned business, Gillis Variety Store. In her retirement years, Sally lived with her family in West Bay where she took delight in being involved in the upbringing of her three granddaughters. She had a lifelong passion for the written word. She read voraciously, completed her daily crossword challenge before 9 a.m., and regularly trounced family members in Scrabble. Cribbage also brought out her competitive side, as any opponent would attest. Sally will be remembered by all who knew her as vivacious, strong-willed and generous. Sally is survived by two daughters, Mary Louise (Dan MacEachern), Dartmouth, and Christena (Brian Goyetche), West Bay Marshes. Also surviving are granddaughters, Janine Leah, Corinne Catherine and Sarah Ialeen, as well as many loving nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at the home she shared with the Goyetche Family, 3080 Marble Mountain on Sunday, July 17, between 2 and 9 p.m. Funeral will be held on Monday, July 18, at 11 a.m. in St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Church in Lower River Inhabitants. Memorial donations can be made to Eastern Counties Regional Library or to a charity of choice.