McGILLIS, Joan Teresa (Nee Donnelly)
Joan was a woman of magnificent beauty, both physically and spiritually. She was born at Chepstow, Ontario on June 5, 1927 and died peacefully at Peterborough, Ontario on October 9, 2010 at the age of 83. Beloved daughter of Clare and Loretta Donnelly; granddaughter of The Hon. Senator J.J. and Julia (McNabb) Donnelly, and Joseph and Marie Schuett. Pre-deceased by, and finally reunited with, her loving husband Donald Edward McGillis. Also pre-deceased by her devoted daughter Kelly Anne McGillis, grandson David John McGillis, brothers James and Timothy Donnelly, and brothers-in-law Jack McConkey and Gerald McGillis. Joan raised her brood of nine children with unconditional love, infinite patience and great humour in a home filled with love, laughter and an unending stream of family and friends. She will be forever missed by her children Donna (Jean-Claude Demers, Q.C.), Donald (Brenda), Steven (Susan), Michael, Mary (Robin Hawkins), Mark (Lorna), Rod (Lynne) and Joe (Jennifer). She doted on her grandchildren and instilled in them her sense of playfulness and joy: Léandre and Charles Demers; Donald, Brittainy and Jonathan McGillis; Tara, Troy, Jacob and Zack Hawkins; Brock, Morgan, Alana and Laurel McGillis; Riley and Tori McGillis; and Mitchell, Andy and Julia McGillis. Joan enjoyed deep friendships with her sisters Sheila McConkey and Irene Rowan, her sisters-in-law Mickey Donnelly and Donna Sylvia McGillis, and her cousins Sheila Flannery and the late Richard Donnelly, Q.C. She was a special and greatly loved aunt to her 25 nieces and nephews in the Donnelly, McConkey, Rowan and McGillis families. She will be particularly missed by her nephews John McConkey and Jason Rowan, and by Bill Rowan and Randy Spencer. Before her marriage, Joan was the Chief X-ray Technician at the East General Hospital in Toronto. In addition to raising her family, she wrote a weekly column in the Peterborough Examiner for many years, was a long-time member of the Peterborough Recreation Committee and did extensive charitable work. We are deeply grateful to all of the staff at St. Joseph's at Fleming Long Term Care Facility for the excellent care given to our wonderful Joan who charmed everyone with her perpetual smile and great sense of humour. Special thanks are given to Verna Pink and our private caregiver Joanne Wierdsma for their loving devotion to her.

Visitation will be held at DUFFUS FUNERAL HOME, 431 George Street South, Peterborough, Ontario from 2-4 and 6-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 12, 2010. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Monsignor John T. Pearson at Cathedral of Saint Peter-in-Chains, 411 Reid Street, Peterborough, Ontario on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 at 10 a.m. Interment to follow at St. Peter's Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to a reception at the Kawartha Golf and Country Club, 777 Clonsilla Avenue, Peterborough, Ontario from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joseph's at Fleming, the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the charity of your choice. On-line condolences can be made at www.duffusfuneralhome.com