Obituary of Alice Gillis

Alice Emily Gills Reserve Mines July 22, 1935 – September 18, 2023 With sadness and broken hearts, we the family of Alice Emily (Drinkwater) Gillis of Reserve Mines, announce her peaceful passing with her daughter by her side at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, on September 18th, 2023. Born in Glace Bay on July 22nd, 1935, Alice was the daughter of the late Walter and Martha (Warren) Drinkwater. She spent her life in Glace Bay working and later raising a family. She was an employee of the Glace Bay Fish Plant and at Wong’s Chinese Restaurant in the 1950’s/1960’s, to help support her family. She married her long-time love on November 30th, 1968, at St. Anthony’s Church in Glace Bay and began her life as a stay-at-home wife and mother. She will be greatly missed by those she leaves behind. Alice is survived by her husband, Clement Gillis of 55 years; daughters, Sandi (Oscar), Membertou, Joanne, Reserve Mines, Crystal (Craig), Amanda (Joe) and Carrie (Joey) all of Glace Bay; special nephew, Kent, who helped take care of her; grandchildren, Michael (Christina), Matthew, Christopher, Taylor Danae (Stefan), Tracy, Joseph, Kayleigh, Chloe, Lucas, Tamara, Alex, Emma & Mackenzie. She will be missed by her buddy, great-grandson Connor, and his baby brother Tucker. Also left to mourn are brother, Wayne; sisters Patricia and Helen; sisters-in-law Bernice and Florence as well as several nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, Alice was predeceased by her brothers, Walter, Richie, Earl, Colin and Arthur; sisters, Ethel, Audrey, Jean, Shirley, Genevieve and Hazel; Brothers- in-law; Allister, Sheldon, Jim and Leo; sister-in-law Jackie; grandson, in infancy, Nicholas. The family would like to thank the staff of the third floor IMCU unit at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital for their care and kindness. Honoring her and her husband’s wishes, Alice has been cremated and funeral services will be held at a later date. Words of comfort may be sent to the family by visiting www.tjtracey.com