Obituary

Mary Katherine (“Kay”) Gillis passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her 4 children, in Laguna Woods Village, CA on Saturday, March 29, 2014 in her 95th year. She was predeceased by Paul, her husband of 70 years and her son Peter, (Maureen). Kay leaves behind her children, Anne (Neil), Michael (Robin), Martha (John), and Paul (Jane) and grandchildren, Michael (Katie), Peter, Colleen, Matthew, Thomas, Mark, Laura and Daniel. She is also survived by her sisters Jean Andersen of Laguna Woods Village and Mary Wynands, and brother John Grant both of Canada.

Kay was born in Windsor, Nova Scotia as one of six children. She married husband Paul in 1941 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, while he served in the Canadian Navy during WWII. A homemaker for over 40 years, she raised five successful children. Kay was very active in local libraries wherever she lived and was instrumental in starting the Bloomfield Township Public Library, the St. Owen’s Church Library both in Michigan and volunteered in the Laguna Woods Village Library. Kay traveled all over the world with Paul and was known for her quiet elegance and grace. She was an avid bridge player and enjoyed painting, but her favorite times were spent with her children and grandchildren when they came to visit. Kay was well known for her quick but gentle wit, strong Catholic faith, and her profound appreciation for the beauty and abundance of life. But most of all she will be remembered for her deep love affair with her loving husband Paul, for over 70 years.

Cremation will be followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Nicholas Catholic Church, 24252 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA 92637 on April 10, 2014, at 9 am with entombment to follow at Ascension Cemetery, 24754 Trabuco Road, Lake Forest, CA. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Kay’s name to Hospice of Saddleback Valley, 24411 Health Center Drive, Suite 400, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 or Saint Nicholas Church.