Obituary of Patricia A Gillis

Patricia A. Gillis, a woman of faith and family, passed away peacefully after an extended illness on Tuesday, October 8, 2024.  She was 91 years old.  Pat was born in Boston, one of four children of James and Margaret Rooney.  She had a wonderful upbringing in Dorchester and was a graduate of Roxbury Memorial High School.  She married her husband, John “Jack” Gillis in 1953 and settled in Burlington in 1957.  They had seven children.  Jack had a very successful career as an engineer and Pat ran their household, raised their children, and still managed to work part time.  She spent over 25 years working as a waitress at Jordan Marsh and then Macy’s department store restaurants.  She enjoyed working with the customers, her coworkers, and contributing to the household. 

Pat was very active in Saint Margaret’s Parish.  It was just part of her life with seven children there was always something going on with the church whether it was Baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations, Sunday Mass, she was there and managed to wrangle her children along as well.  She volunteered working in the office for the religious education classes, assisted on the Holiday Bazaars, and was a member the church’s bowling league. 

Pat’s life revolved around her family.  She was always there to support Jack, their children, and later, their grandchildren.  Her home was the gathering spot for her family, neighbors, the children’s friends, and many others.  Pat was enthusiastic and willing to host any event.  She hosted weddings, anniversaries, surprise birthdays, Christenings, baby showers, Christmas celebrations, and 4^th of July celebrations.  She loved hosting all her family for the holidays and would coordinate and involve everyone in the preparation for and enjoyment of the celebration.  She took great care to make sure that their planning included “something for everyone”.  Pat also loved to travel.  In 1973, she and Jack packed six of their children in a station wagon and took a 30 day family road trip across the country, to California and back, visiting family and close friends and stopping at historical sites, parks, and other fun destinations along the way.  They also traveled separately and with some of the family and their friends.  They went on numerous cruises to warm weather destinations.  They also traveled across Europe, Ireland, Alaska, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, and countless other destinations.  In their retirement years, they would spend the winters in Seal Beach, California escaping the cold New England weather and spending time with children and grandchildren on the West Coast.  Pat’s generous and outgoing personality and her welcoming and vivacious persona are what we remember most.   She was always in perpetual motion, ready to celebrate life and share her love and her home with all who entered her life. 

Pat was the beloved wife of the late John Gillis, Jr.  She was the loving mother of John Gillis, III, & his wife Sheryl of Seal Beach, CA, Kenneth Gillis & his partner Cynthia of Billerica, Edward Gillis & his wife Melonie of Livermore, CA, Stephen Gillis & his wife Maureen of Franklin, Margaret “Peggy” Gillis-Keating & her husband Marc Keating of Thornton, NH formerly of Woburn, and Patricia “Tricia” Gillis of Quincy, formerly of Burlington, and the late Janet McFall & her husband James “Jim” of Billerica.  Pat was predeceased by her siblings; Kathleen “Kay” Kelliher, Gerard Rooney, and George Rooney.  She was the proud grandmother of Meganne Giraldo, Ryan McFall, Brendan McFall, John Gillis IV, Brian Gillis, Jacklyn Desmond, Courtney Gillis, Jason Gillis, Jessica Gillis, Erin Tabor, Sean Gillis, Kyle Gillis, Rachel Gillis, and Carly Gillis.  Pat was also survived by 14 great grandchildren.

Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn Street, Burlington on Monday, October 14 from 4-7 p.m. Funeral from the Sullivan Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 15 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Margaret Church in St. Veronica Parish, www.stveronicama.org, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m.  Services will conclude with a burial at Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington.  Memorials in Pat’s name may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org/manh, 320 Nevada St., Suite 201, Newton, MA 02460.  For online guestbook and video tribute see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net