Obituary of Mary Gill

Mary Gill of Bowmanville passed away at Strathaven Lifecare Centre on Sunday September 28, 2014 at the age of 95. Mary was born in rural Saskatchewan to Anna Klus from Poland and Michael Kowal from Eastern Ukraine. When she was 5 years old, her mother died leaving 4 children: Mary, Kathrine, John and Joseph. Mary and her 3 siblings developed a wonderful bond that lasted their lifetimes. They supported each other emotionally and took many holidays together. Later their father married Helena Romaniuk. Mary attended Normal School in Saskatoon and became a teacher. She taught at St Joseph’s School, a two room school near Jasmin, Saskatchewan. There she met and fell in love with Robert Gill, an ambitious young man from a local farm. Mary and Bob were married in Barrie, Ontario in June of 1941. After Bob finished a short stint in the army, they started a family and began their careers as entrepreneurs. First they purchased a corner store with a gas pump and resident black bear in Chelmsford, Ontario. In 1949 they moved to Geraldton, Ontario where they bought the local Dairy. In 1954 they moved south to Bowmanville to buy the Royal Theatre. Much later they partnered with their son Irving, in the Port Darlington Marina and Hotel in Bowmanville. For many years, Mary also worked as a teller in the Bowmanville CIBC. She was known for her precision with numbers and for her diligence. Mary and Bob worked hard but took time to see the world. They enjoyed several cruises and also traveled to Europe, China, Cuba and Australia. A home in Florida provided a retreat from their busy lives. They eventually retired in Newcastle Ontario. Mary was an astute business woman and very creative in all the family businesses. She was an active member of the Bowmanville Business and Professional Women’s Club. She also was an excellent bridge player. Mary had unlimited energy and enthusiasm and took tap dancing lessons with her daughters and learned to play the Hawaiian guitar and the saxophone. And who will ever forget her license plate “Big Wig”? Mary spent her last years in Strathaven Lifecare Centre where she loved to have family and friends visit. Mary was predeceased by the love of her life, Bob, in 1998 after 57 years of marriage. Her dear sister Kae Lang and brother Joe Kowal died in 2005 and 2012 respectively. Her grandson Jeff Martin died in 2004. Her brother John passed away only recently, on September 20. Mary is survived by her children Irv (Mary Lou Marr), Dixie (Robert Jones), and Pat (Derek Martin). Her sister-in-law, Anne, lives in Richmond BC. She also leaves behind, 9 Grandchildren, 9 Great Grandchildren and 4 Great Great Grandchildren all of whom she was immensely proud. She was a favorite 'Aunt Mary’ to many nieces and nephews on Vancouver Island. British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and also Virginia. Her cats, Simba and Susie were special to her. Mary’s children would like to thank Carrie Gill, Ron Shields, Audrey Stephen, Dr Kassirer and the staff of Strathaven Lifecare Centre for their care and kindness to their mother.