Obituary for Margaret Teresa Mack (Gillis)
MACK, Margaret Teresa (Gillis)
June 30, 1953 – February 25, 2021
With broken hearts, we announce the passing of Margaret Teresa Mack (Gillis) on Thursday, February 25, 2021 at the age of 67. She died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, and with a smile on her face.
Margie was born and raised in Sydney, Cape Breton to her loving parents John Gillis and Anna Mae MacKinnon. In 1976, after graduating from St. Francis Xavier University and living in Halifax she moved to Calgary, but never forgot her Maritime roots. It was here she began her career in Oil and Gas. Always a professional, Margie became a valued member of management teams at Dome, Amoco and Crestar. Her intelligence, personality and leadership skills made her a popular colleague and employee.
She soon met Dave, her loving husband of 40 years, and then became the world’s most devoted and selfless mum to Conor and Christina. Margie loved her family and the special memories of time spent together at their beloved vacation properties - their cabin in Grave Lake and her “happy place” in Qualicum. She was a proud transplanted Nova Scotian who loved to travel, play golf, cook for crowds, and enjoy a gathering of close friends. Like the good Cape Breton-er she was, Margie always enjoyed a good party or pub visit - from her University days at X, to after-work events with her colleagues-turned-friends, travels with Dave and friends, on the lawn at the ‘Surf Inn’ and pretty much any setting that justified a glass of wine, beer or scotch and a laugh.
After her diagnosis and surgery in October 2017, Margie worked hard to regain her speech and enough mobility to have some independence. With her subsequent limitations, Margie became even more of an inspiration to those around her. Her laugh became somehow more infectious (no one was immune to her giggle fits). Her attitude became even more positive and accepting. Her patience became limitless when she needed it most. It comes as no surprise that we heard constantly from healthcare workers that Margie was their favourite patient, and the fact that she became genuine friends with several of her medical aides says a lot about how she coped with her many challenges over the last three years. Never one to complain, she brought genuine warmth to every encounter and was a true example of strength, resilience, and patience. Throughout her life, we’ve seen Margie cry many times but not once for herself. Her tears are always for the joys or hardships of others. She had the gift of making everyone around her feel special. Those close to her however, know she was the most special person of all.
Margie is survived by Dave, Conor, Christina; her special son-in-law, Neil and her brother, Don Gillis (Virginia and family) who was the secure lifeline to her past and the core of who she was. Also left to miss her are many nieces, nephews, family members and cherished friends.
To her friends from Cape Breton to Vancouver Island, you brought so much joy to Margie’s last years. Thank you for the visits, calls, video chats, meals, gifts, and surprise birthdays.
She gave us exactly the time we needed with her after her diagnosis and prepared us for losing her. Even in her most difficult time, she put her family and our needs before her own. She now rejoins those she loved who passed away before her, especially her father-in-law Gordon Mack, with whom she shared a great bond. He awaits her with a crossword puzzle for them to share.
You and your beautiful smile will be with us forever Mum, Honey, Margie, Muffin. We love you.
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Margie, please visit www.choicememorial.com.
June 30, 1953 – February 25, 2021
With broken hearts, we announce the passing of Margaret Teresa Mack (Gillis) on Thursday, February 25, 2021 at the age of 67. She died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, and with a smile on her face.
Margie was born and raised in Sydney, Cape Breton to her loving parents John Gillis and Anna Mae MacKinnon. In 1976, after graduating from St. Francis Xavier University and living in Halifax she moved to Calgary, but never forgot her Maritime roots. It was here she began her career in Oil and Gas. Always a professional, Margie became a valued member of management teams at Dome, Amoco and Crestar. Her intelligence, personality and leadership skills made her a popular colleague and employee.
She soon met Dave, her loving husband of 40 years, and then became the world’s most devoted and selfless mum to Conor and Christina. Margie loved her family and the special memories of time spent together at their beloved vacation properties - their cabin in Grave Lake and her “happy place” in Qualicum. She was a proud transplanted Nova Scotian who loved to travel, play golf, cook for crowds, and enjoy a gathering of close friends. Like the good Cape Breton-er she was, Margie always enjoyed a good party or pub visit - from her University days at X, to after-work events with her colleagues-turned-friends, travels with Dave and friends, on the lawn at the ‘Surf Inn’ and pretty much any setting that justified a glass of wine, beer or scotch and a laugh.
After her diagnosis and surgery in October 2017, Margie worked hard to regain her speech and enough mobility to have some independence. With her subsequent limitations, Margie became even more of an inspiration to those around her. Her laugh became somehow more infectious (no one was immune to her giggle fits). Her attitude became even more positive and accepting. Her patience became limitless when she needed it most. It comes as no surprise that we heard constantly from healthcare workers that Margie was their favourite patient, and the fact that she became genuine friends with several of her medical aides says a lot about how she coped with her many challenges over the last three years. Never one to complain, she brought genuine warmth to every encounter and was a true example of strength, resilience, and patience. Throughout her life, we’ve seen Margie cry many times but not once for herself. Her tears are always for the joys or hardships of others. She had the gift of making everyone around her feel special. Those close to her however, know she was the most special person of all.
Margie is survived by Dave, Conor, Christina; her special son-in-law, Neil and her brother, Don Gillis (Virginia and family) who was the secure lifeline to her past and the core of who she was. Also left to miss her are many nieces, nephews, family members and cherished friends.
To her friends from Cape Breton to Vancouver Island, you brought so much joy to Margie’s last years. Thank you for the visits, calls, video chats, meals, gifts, and surprise birthdays.
She gave us exactly the time we needed with her after her diagnosis and prepared us for losing her. Even in her most difficult time, she put her family and our needs before her own. She now rejoins those she loved who passed away before her, especially her father-in-law Gordon Mack, with whom she shared a great bond. He awaits her with a crossword puzzle for them to share.
You and your beautiful smile will be with us forever Mum, Honey, Margie, Muffin. We love you.
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Margie, please visit www.choicememorial.com.