Catherine T. Gillis (Dunn), “Kay”, age 88, of Wilmington, died peacefully at home on December 2, 2015.
Kay was born and raised in Charlestown, MA; she was the dear daughter of the late Thomas and Helen Dunn. Kay, along with her family enjoyed their summers spent at their cottage in the “Federal Garden” section of Wilmington and swimming in Jinx Pond. It was at Jenks pond that she met her future husband Edward Gillis and the couple married on November 25, 1951.
Kay and Ed settled in Wilmington where they shared 64 years of marriage and raised their five children; Ed, Kathy, John, Tom, and Ann. Kay was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, but she especially loved being a grandmother and great-grandmother. Kay cherished the time she spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; she attended countless school events, sports, dance recitals, birthday parties or any other special occasion. Kay rarely went away because she was afraid she would miss something for the kids and she always found them most entertaining.
Throughout the years, Kay enjoyed dancing, bowling every Friday night, camping in her Pink Trailer, and baking her delicious fudge and custard.
Kay will be fondly remembered as a wonderful lady who loved her family and friends unconditionally. Kay was kind, sweet, and would help anyone in need; she will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Kay was the beloved wife of 64 years to Edward J. Gillis, devoted mother of Edward Gillis & his wife Nancy of Ipswich, Kathy Warford & her husband Jack, John Gillis & his wife Maryann, Tom Gillis & his wife Maureen all of Wilmington, and Ann Chleapas & her husband Jim of North Andover. Loving grandmother of Jack, Shane, Mike, Rory, Ann, Brendan, Tommy, Eileen, and Shana Warford, Katie Ware, John, Matthew, Kelly, and Kerry Gillis, Samantha, Laura, and Benjamin Gillis, John, Kathryn, and Bill Chleapas, and great-grandchildren Jake, Anna, Ava, Keira, Meghann, Landon, Logan, Brayden, Finn, Brooke, John, MacKenzie, and Michael. Dear daughter of the late Thomas and Helen “Nellie” (McCarthy) Dunn, sister of the late Mary Kelley, Helen Lyons, and John Dunn. Kay is also survived by many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews.
Family and friends will gather at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington, on Saturday, December 5th at 10:00 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Thomas of Villanova Church, 126 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington, at 11:00 a.m. Interment Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington. Visiting Hours will be held at the Funeral Home on Friday, December 4th from 4:00-8:00 p.m.
Memorial donations in Catherine’s name may be made to the Wilmington American Legion, 5 Bay Street, Wilmington, MA 01887.
(NOTE: The above obituary and photo are from Nichols Funeral Home.)
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