Anne M. Gillis

Anne M. Gillis, age 89, passed away on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. Born in Boston on October 2, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Frederick A. and Anne C. (Wetzler) Herbert. She was raised in the Roslindale neighborhood of Boston, where she graduated from Saint Thomas Aquinas High School with the Class of 1949. Following her graduation, Anne took a position with the New England Telephone Company, working as a telephone operator.

At the young age of 15, Anne met her sweetheart, John L. Gillis, Jr., at Houghton's Pond while ice skating. She and John were married on February 23, 1954, in her hometown of Roslindale, where they made their first home together and Anne took on the role of a homemaker, raising and caring for her young family. Anne continued her role in caring for her children after she and John made their home in Walpole, Massachusetts, beginning in 1962. As her five children reached school age, Anne returned to her career, taking a position with Horizon House in Dedham before starting work with Carter's in Needham. She went on to take a position with Filene's Basement in Newton, where she worked for more than fifteen years as a sales associate before her retirement in 2008.

More than anything, Anne was truly devoted to her family. She was a devoted and caring wife to her husband, John, taking him to all of his medical appointments and ensuring he was well cared for during his hospital stays as well as at home. Together, Anne and John enjoyed spending time at their cottages in Becket and Holland. Anne looked forward to family vacations to Old Orchard Beach in Maine and loved spending the day aboard her family's boat in the North River in Marshfield. While in Marshfield, Anne loved gathering her family together for an afternoon of fishing or digging clams. Anne was truly delighted at the birth of her grandchildren and great grandchildren, knowing her family was continuing to grow.

Beloved wife of the late John L. Gillis, Jr.
Loving mother of Paul B. Gillis of Medfield, Donald E. Gillis of Walpole, Judith A. Gillis of Walpole, Kenneth J. Gillis of Walpole, and Nancy L. Nguyen of Fort Worth, Texas.
Cherished grandmother of Nancy, Kenneth, Justin, Sherry, Michelle, and the late Raymond; and great grandmother of Conner, Hayden, and Charlotte.

At the request of Anne's family, all services will be private with interment taking place in Saint Joseph's Cemetery in West Roxbury.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Joslin Diabetes Center, One Joslin Place, Boston, MA 02115 or at https://www.joslin.org/

Arrangements by James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, Walpole.