Wendy Ann (Boyne) Gillis
Died: January 14, 2009 | Place: London Health Sciences Centre - Victoria Hospital
Obituary
GILLIS…..
Peacefully, surrounded by her family and friends at Victoria Hospital, on Wednesday, January 14, 2009, Wendy Ann (Boyne) Gillis of London in her 62nd year. Loving mother of Meaghan Gillis of London. Adoring grandmother of Carly Smith. Loving sister of Karen Genthon (Jim Rusu) of Winnipeg and Jeff Boyne (Colleen) of White Rock, B.C.. Also missed by Jim Smith, Don Gillis and her nieces and nephews. Dear sister-in-law of Gary Gillis (Christine). Greatly missed by Susan,Iris and countless friends, colleagues and patients. Predeceased by her parents Stan and Noreen, her niece and god-daughter Shannon and her sister-in-law Elaine. Wendy was born in Peguis Manitoba and her early years were spent in Woodlands and Winnipeg. She moved with the family to Penticton, B.C. and returned to Manitoba and entered nursing at the Winnipeg General Hospital, graduating in 1969. She married Don and moved to London shortly after. Meaghan was born in 1980. Wendy continued to work in nursing, which she loved, managing to raise Meaghan ,and to go on to earn her Master’s degree . She spent the last years of her career working as a nurse practitioner in oncology. Along the way she touched many lives. Wendy was a lifelong, active and faithful member of the Anglican Church and will be sadly missed by the Parishes of St. Albans and Christ Church. Wendy loved life, traveling, gardening, cooking for friends and reading, especially at Iris’ cottage at Caddy Lake. Her life was filled with music; she especially loved the blues. She was as handy with a hammer and drill as she was in the garden or kitchen. In 2005, Wendy became a grandmother when a beautiful baby girl was born to Meaghan and Jim Smith. Her name is Carly and she was a joy and blessing to Wendy from the moment she was born. Wendy was generous of heart and spirit and her final gift as an organ donor was the most precious gift of all. Friends will be received by the family from 2-4 and 7-9pm Sunday, January 18, 2009 at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London. The funeral service will be conducted on Monday, January 19, 2009 at 2:00pm at Christ (Anglican) Church, 138 Wellington Street (at Hill Street), London, with Reverend Canon Greg W. Smith officiating. Cremation. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to Christ (Anglican) Church Memorial Fund, 138 Wellington Street, London ON N6B 2K8 or Canadian Mental Health Association London-Middlesex Branch, 648 Huron Street, London ON N5Y 4J8. Online condolences accepted at www.amgfh.com
49 Comments
Write a Condolence
Submit A Photo
Photos
Make a Donation in honour of Wendy Ann (Boyne) Gillis
Please mail your donations directly to the charity
Donations
Burke Flowers
When you order funeral flowers from Burke Flowers, our skilled and compassionate florist will work directly with the funeral home to ensure that your delivery is timely and accurate. Same-day delivery is often available, please call (519) 672-8190 || (800) 303-7413 for a more customized experience.
I will miss you very much Wendy. You are one of the kindest people I know. Your caring and compassion for nursing and life inspired me. You were gifted with a brilliant mind and you used your intelligence to help so many patients and staff. I really can’t imagine our unit without you. I thank God for bringing you into my life. My thoughts and prayers to your family. Love: Karen
I could go on for hours about the memories. Thank you Wendy for being such a big part of my childhood, I do believe you helped in having a part in who I am today. My heart goes out to your family. You were absolutely needed somewhere else because you were such an amazing lady and gone too soon. May you rest in peace. Gone but not forgotten.
Love from the entire Parnall / Goldie family.
Wendy was there in ways that really mattered for the patients and medical members of the Carcinoid Neuroendocrine Tumour Society Canada.
She was instrumental in putting our cancer on the map.
She even joined our Board of Directors.
She was cherished by our community in the deepest most meaningful way.
We loved her as a person.
It was the light in Wendy`s eye and her love and caring that made her so special.
She was meticulous, careful, deeply knowledgeable about neuroendocrine tumours, light, witty, down-to-
earth, and encouraging. We trusted her totally with our lives and she always came through for us.
We will always think of Wendy with hope and this will make us stronger as a community.
We will never forget you, Wendy.
I hadn’t met Wendy in person but had much correspondence with her regarding my illness. At a time when I was feeling very alone and lost in the system she was there with understanding, compassion, advice, and a plan to help me navigate through the system, all without even being technically a patient of hers. Thank you Wendy, be at peace. Linda Jones
I am very saddened to hear of your loss. I am very thankful for all that Wendy did for us patients. She will be missed. My thoughts and prayers to Wendy’s family, friends and co-workers.
An angel has left us for a better place. Wendy was the best of the best. She was not only caring and loving but a beautiful person inside and out. We will miss her smiling face and graciousness. We are grateful we were able to give her a hug, just prior to Christmas, when Jack went for his regular appt. with Drs. Kocha and Reid and Wendy & Rosemary.
She will be sorely missed by all of those whose lives she so graciously and unselfishly touched. What a wonderful, wonderful soul.
May she rest in peace.
Frania & Jack Banks
Kitchener, Ontario
I don’t remember meeting Wendy in person but knew her as a nurse with the Medical Members of the Carcinoid Neroendocrine Tumour Society from London. Thank you Wendy for all your help and caring for us.May you be with the Lord in Peace, Charlotte Rose Newman
Please accept my sincere sympathy on the death of Wendy.
With sincere sympathy,
Mira Ninkovic, carcinoid patient
Sincere Sympathy to Wendy’s Family and friends.
Wendy was my loving caring nurse and was by my side through my liver embolizations. She knew just what was needed and helped me endure rough spells during my recovery times. I will miss your smiles and tender care, Wendy. The Carcinoid cancer clinic won’t be the same without you. You are a beautiful caring soul,living on in our hearts!
Jackie -Carcinoid patient.
It is with heavy heart that I try to find the words to describe what an incredible person Wendy was. A few that come to mind….kind, caring, compassionate,knowledgeable and the always important great sense of humour. I am truly blessed to have known such a special individual and send caring thoughts and prayers to her family and dearest friends. Love Mary Ann
My heartfelt condolences go out to Wendy’s family, friends and colleaques.
Through her wisdom and gentle nature, Wendy was able to allay my fears about any treatments I underwent. She explained everything in detail so I would understand and answered any questions I might pose. She possessed a great sense of humour and usually went the extra mile where a patient was concerned.
Wendy will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by all whose life she touched.
Susan Sawolak, Carcinoid patient
It was with profound sadness that we heard about Wendy today. Although we had not seen her recently, we had known her for four years at the London Clinic, where I was
receiving embolizations and
other therapies. Wendy had such a gentle manner with her patients and always sought
answers to their numerous questions. She seemed to have endless drive and patience and we will try
to carry on her optimism.
As our minister once said, life is not fair. Our prayers and love go out to all who knew Wendy.
I am so saddened to hear of the passing of Wendy. I worked with Wendy during my years as a clinical instructor at the University of Western Ontario. Wendy was a wonderful and caring human being. She is a loss to nursing and will be sadly missed.
Sincerely,
Sue Ray
Wendy Gillis was truly like some sort of bright beam of sunshine. Wendy had something about her that was warm, made me think of having a good time–no matter how serious or complex an issue with a patient, she could always say, with that serious sound to her voice, “Now we really MUST get this in order”…but you knew behind the seriousness was a playful twinkle in her eyes.
She was dedicated, caring, thoughtful and intelligent. Everyone who worked with Wendy, as either colleague or patient, felt that enormous sense of her respect for the lives she touched.
Right now, what I feel is the loss of a good friend and an exemplary colleague. Wendy will be missed, she will be sorely missed.
There truly are not enough words to express the deep sense of loss felt at this most difficult time. To know Wendy was to know an exceptional human spirit. She expressed kindness to each and every person she met. She was one of the most gracious people I have known. She had a smile on her face every day and she absolutely showed her love for everything she did and everyone she cared for. I am honoured and blessed to have known and worked with her and she will be terribly missed.
Rest in peace sweet Wendy. My thoughts and prayers to her family.
Leslie Doan
To Wendy’s family and friends my sincere sympathy.
Wendy was such an important part of the “carcinoid family”. She was always there willing help in anyway she could and would go the extra mile for you. She was so dedicated, caring, kind, and compassionate. When I talked to her it felt like I was talking to a good friend. She stopped and listened in a way that made you feel important even when she was busy. Always doing the best she could with each of us. Wendy, it is because of people like you that I am still here with my family and friends. I am so thankful that you were part of my life. I will miss you.
Joanne (carcinoid patient)
We are so saddened to hear of the passing of Wendy.
Our heartfelt condolences to Wendy’s family & friends.
Wendy was at mom’s side during her embolizations; she was such a loving,caring & compassionate nurse. We will miss her smiling face & beautiful caring soul.
May she rest in peace.
You will be deeply missed,
Margaret Acheson & Tamara
It is with deep sadness that we heard about Wendy’s loss. She has a special place in our hearts.
Our deepest condolences to Wendy’s family, friends and colleagues.
Wendy was such a kind, loving, caring,knowledgable practitioner, intelligent advocate, and compassionate person that inspired trust, hope, and eased our pain and anxiety as she guided us through our treatment journey, as she called it, before, during and after treatment.
We’ll miss her.
Frank and Ourania Stamatopoulos
Toronto
To Meaghan, Carly, Wendy’s family of life, and Wendy’s family of caring (her patients and colleagues) whom she gifted with her healing warmth, ready smile and open heart, I extend my deepest sympathy. I only met her briefly but knew of her dedication and kindness from those who knew her best. May her healing touch live on in all of you, and may she rest in peace.
My thoughts and prayers go out to family, friends and colleagues of Wendy.
Wendy was truly what a nurse should be. Kind, intelligent, empathetic….. Our profession has truly suffered a great loss.
Matthew 11.28
Come unto me all that labour and are heavy laden and I will refresh you
How very sad to hear of Wendy’s passing; although I did not know her well, it was always a pleasure to see her. She was a lovely and memorable woman-funny,smart and excellent company. I feel privleged to have seen her recently at a mutual friend’s birthday party. We had wonderful conversations and a few good laughs. I can only imagine how deeply she will be missed by all who knew her.
With great sympathy
Wendy Kaelin
We wanted to express our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Wendy.
Sincerely,
Bev and Bernie Thibodeau (neighbours)
Dear Meaghen and Carly It is difficult to put into words our feelings about the passing of your Mom. We go back a long way and have many good memories of our friendship. What a wonderful gift your Mother left re Organ donation. We believe through this act your Mom continues to live on and she always will be in our hearts.
Love Karen and Dick
We are in Florida and can not attend the services much to our regret.
I am grateful to have known Wendy. She was such a wonderful and kind woman. Professionally, she was a leader in many ways and taught me so much. Wendy, I will miss your smile and the stories you told about travel, friends, family and especially your beloved granddaughter. My thoughts go out to her family and dear friends.
Although we had lost touch in recent years, I knew and loved Wendy a dear friend and as a co-worker on 7th floor, University Hospital. The patient’s needs always came first for Wendy and they all loved her for her and respected her judgement. She was kind and compassionate and a shining example to all that she worked with.
As a friend, she was warm and funny and interesting and endearingly self-disclosing. I also loved her laugh and that twinkle in her eye that many who knew her have already mentioned. She was always ready to to lend a hand even though she always had a million things going on at all at once. Her busyness was her trademark. At any one time she’d be studying, or trying to write a shcool paper or deciding what to make for the dinner she was making for a friend, or doing something at the church, or trying to get out to the garden to pull weeds,etc. etc. In the end she would always accomplish them all. When I was having financial difficulties and making lace angels one Christmas, she ordered at least a dozen angels and paid me way more than I felt she needed to. She was an angel herself but that’s not to say she didn’t have a wee bit of the devil in her too! she was the perfect mix of both and that’s one of the things that made her so special.
I will miss her terribly although I know she has gone to a better place. My heart goes out to Meagan, Jim, and Carly and all her other family and friends as well as all those who she cared for and worked with. She will be miss by very many.
To Wendy’s Family,
I was very saddened to hear of Wendy’s sudden passing. Please accept my deepest sympathies as you gather to remember and celebrate Wendy’s time with us. She will be fondly remembered when we gather in May to recognize 40 years since our graduation from the Winnipeg General Hospital.
Sincerely,
Margaret Ogonowski(Lupyrypa)
Class of 1969
Dear Meaghan, Carly and family. We were deeply saddened to hear of Wendy’s passing. Although it’s been many years since we last saw her we continue to have very fond memories of our times together as families when Meaghan and Chris were growning up. She always had a kind word and a smile on her face. She will always be fondly remembered and deeply missed. We’re away for the winter and regret that we can not be with you tomorrow.
We extend our deepest sympathy.
Jim and Tammy
My deepest sympathy to Wendy’s family, friends, colleagues and patients. May we all find strength and comfort in our memories of this lovely lady and in the Lord whom she served so freely. My memories of Wendy are as a fellow student at Winnipeg General Hospital where she showed great dedication to her vocation and also a bubbly sense of humour. It was an honour to know her and I am thankful for our last visit in May, 2004. She will be remembered and missed at our upcoming 40th reunion.
Blessings,
Elsie Millerd (Fryer)
Class of ’69
Winnipeg General Hospital
To Wendy’s,Family,Patients and Co-Workers. Wendy was one of those guardian angels that are here to comfort and protect us. For those of us who had a family member under Wendy’s care we are thankful for her kindness,knowledge and compassion. We are saddened by her passing. Margaret Rohl Graham
Wendy was a loving and caring soul for carcinoid patients.
Thank you for the care while being treated at L.C.C.C.
Our condolences and prayers to Family and Friends.
To Wendy’s Family
My deepest sympathy to the family,friends and all who knew and loved Wendy. Her gentle, caring nature will have touched many. She will always be remembered.
I, as well as all her classmates from the Class of 69 feel saddened by her death. We will miss her and think of her fondly in May as we gather to celabrate 40 years. I don’t think she had ever missed a reunion.
Sincere sympathy to you all,
Barb Tisdale (Povah)
I am so saddened by Wendy,s passing. She cared for my husband through all his treatments and his embolization. He thought the world of her and so did I. She was an amazing person and will be greatly missed by the carcinoid patients and those who worked with her.
Dear Meaghan and all of Wendy’s family our thought and prayers are with you through this tough time in your life. Take Care. Love The Fowler Family (Gary Gillis’s daughter and family)
I remember Wendy for her beautiful smile and her graciousness. She was a fine individual and a talented nurse. She was my classmate in the Class of ’69. Please accept my sympathy for your loss.
To Wendy’s family and friends My deepest sympathy..Wendy and I met as we started our nursing education more than 40 years ago. I feel blessed to have called her friend. Because she was that. Even though we only saw each other at nursing reunions, at that time the years melted away and I enjoyed the same bright, interesting, involved and caring person that was my nursing friend. I’ll miss you this year Wendy. We will all hold a piece of your beauty in our hearts. Blessed Be. Lynn
Our thoughts and prayers are with Meaghan, Carly, Don and all Wendy’s family. Wendy was our much loved sister-in-law and remained part of our family and a dear friend even after she and Don parted ways. As we live in B.C., we only met every few years and were so pleased when Wendy was able to visit us at our retirement home on Pender Island. We kept in touch by e-mail and letter and received a lovely letter from her just before Christmas. Chris always thinks of Wendy when she plays Leonard Cohen’s sons as they listened to his records while sipping on wine when we visited Port Franks some years ago. Wendy was a warm, compassionate, caring and fun person and we will miss her very much.
To Wendy’s family, I did not know Wendy well, but she was very warm and professional in all of our interactions. May the pain of your loss melt into wonderful memories of such a compassionate and caring person. You have my deepest sympathies, Mary Lou Dewan
Meaghan, Carly, Karen, Jeff and their families,
My thoughts, prayers and love are with you all during this most difficult time.
It seems like only yesterday that Wendy and I, joined at the hip (as they say), strolled down the main street in Woodlands, each of us with our favourite ketchup sandwich in hand, talking a mile a minute and cooking up our next adventure. We were six when we started grade one at Woodlands Elementary school. At the end of grade two, my family moved up the highway and at such a young age, the repercussion of that move on our friendship never crossed our minds, but it was obviously a friendship that was meant to be forever. I will always regret that we lost touch for so many years, but when we found each other again, all the lost years just melted away and we instantly became almost daily email buddies. I looked forward to her every visit to Winnipeg for our, albeit short, personal “catch-up” time over a glass of white wine and good food.
My plan was to visit Wendy in London the first summer of my 2010 retirement…but God had other plans–he called our angel home. I miss my dear friend deeply as I know everyone whose life she touched is missing her. She was the best of the best.
My heartfelt condolences, Samantha (Linda)
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Wendy’s death. Although it has been many years since we attended advanced practice meetings together, her brillant smile and intelligent energy always spoke volumes about her many contributions to nursing. I know she will be missed.
Dear Karen Genthon and all family members of Wendy, I am sorry to hear of Wendy’s death and pass my condolences to each and everyone. I have been a co-worker with Karen for just a short time but feel I knew Wendy from Karen’s admirable reference to her sister. God bless you everyone!
My deepest sympathy to Wendy’s family and friends, during this difficult time.
To Don, I know this must be a difficult time for you Meaghan. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Cindy Raikes
To
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Wendy was an exceptional person. To know her was to experience her kind smile, her gentle nature, her compassion and her great sense of humour. She was one with much knowledge, that she eagerly shared with her co workers, for this I am grateful. I am blessed to have been able to work alongside such an amazing person. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family. “For we can do all things through Him who gives us strength.”
It is with great sadness to learn of the passing of Wendy. She was a wonderful, knowledgeable and loving nurse who was always so kind to us during my husband’s carcinoid treatment. You will never be forgotten.
Beloved Cousin Wendy:
May the Lord be with you!
Love,
Jim and Jill Roberts
I was very saddened and shocked to learn of Wendy’s death. She was such a lovely person and whenever I had questions about my carcinoid cancer, I felt in such good hands being able to talk with Wendy and immediately receiving the information needed and in such a caring way. Her last words to me
were “bless you”. Wendy was definitely a blessing to me.
My father is Walter Griffith and we reside in Winnipeg. My dad has carsenoid syndrome and has been goig to London for the past 4 yaers. Wendy is the nurse that his care was entrusted to. He always told me she was his favorite nurse ever, she had so much compassion and was a wonderful person. I went to London this last December with my parents and had the pleasure of meeting Wendy. She was everything my Dad said she was. Wendy was a wonderful person & they will not be able to replace her.
My father is Walter Griffith and we reside in Winnipeg. My dad has carsenoid syndrome and has been goig to London for the past 4 yaers. Wendy is the nurse that his care was entrusted to. He always told me she was his favorite nurse ever, she had so much compassion and was a wonderful person. I went to London this last December with my parents and had the pleasure of meeting Wendy. She was everything my Dad said she was. Wendy was a wonderful person & they will not be able to replace her.