Thelma Irene Gillies

GILLIES, Thelma Irene…..Peacefully with her family by her side at Horizon Place, London on Friday, October 29, 2010, Thelma Irene (Heatherly) Gillies in her 104th year. She was married to her first husband, Stan Kelly, (an underwriter at London Life) for only a few years before he died in 1941. Two years later she married J. Harold Gillies, a widower with three children, Robert, Bruce and Nancy. They had one son John Harold Gillies Jr. They enjoyed many wonderful years together, living in London, and having the opportunity to golf at both the London Hunt Club and Sunningdale Golf and Country Club. They also traveled to many places as part of Harold’s position as President of Silverwood’s Dairy. She is survived by her daughter, Nancy Yuhasz (husband Mike), and her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Thelma was born in London on May 16th, 1907. She attended Talbot Elementary school and then Central Collegiate. She was very athletic, being a key player on her basketball team, as well as a roller skater and ice skater; she played on the City ladies baseball team, and her love of baseball carried forward in her avid support of the Blue Jays, listening to the games on the radio. After grade 10, she went to Westervelt School to take a one year business and typing course. She was hired at John Purdom Hardware store on Dundas Street, where she was the bookkeeper and the cashier. Her next job was at the big new Thomas Furniture store on Richmond, below King; she was also a part time waitress at Boomer’s Ice Cream Parlour, and she later worked at London Life, when it was under construction, having offices above the Bank of Montreal at Richmond and Queen, before opening in 1927. Many thanks for the care and compassion of Geena and the girls in the west wing of Horizon Place; and a special thanks for the love shown by her dear friend Myrna Booth and family friend Gail Clements, Ruth Sans and her late husband Walter, Ruth Perkins, and many others. Thelma’s wish has been granted, and she has gone home. Friends will be received by the family on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at the A. Millard George Reception Centre, 60 Ridout Street South, London where the funeral service will be conducted in the Reception Centre at 11:00 am. Interment in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, London. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Charity of Choice. Online condolences at www.amgfh.com