GILLIES, Elizabeth Gillies

With deep sadness we announce the passing of Elizabeth Ann Gillies (nee Johnston) on March 12, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was predeceased by her parents, Allan and Irene Johnston. Elizabeth was the beloved wife and best friend of Mark Gillies for 55 happy years, and the cherished mother of Shannon Gillies (Bill Charney) and Kristen Lochhead (Brian). She was the proudest and most adoring “Gammy” to Emily, Andrew, and Lindsay Lochhead. Elizabeth was also sister-in-law and friend to Carol and the late John Baranowski, aunt to Kelly Riley (George) and Lori Shadrach (Andre), and daughter-in-law of the late Jim and Verna Gillies.

As an only child, Elizabeth was lovingly called “Annie” by her parents. After graduating from Lorne Park Secondary School in Clarkson, Ontario, she attended Sheridan College, where she met her future husband, Mark. Together they built a warm and lively home in Burlington, where they raised their two daughters and four much-loved fur babies, living there until 2019.

A true lifelong learner, Elizabeth returned to piano lessons as an adult, and after her daughters were grown earned both her Honours B.A. and Master of Arts degrees in history from the University of Toronto. Over the years she enthusiastically explored a wide range of interests, taking classes in interior decorating, flower arranging, stained glass, Italian, golf, painting, and even becoming a certified scuba diver. She loved working with her hands and made many beautiful creations as a skilled knitter and quilter.

Elizabeth Gillies enjoyed successful careers in newspaper advertising management and real estate sales before retiring. In retirement she shared her love of art as a volunteer docent at the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto. Yet her favourite role was always being Gammy to her three grandchildren. Her home was a place of joy and welcome, with lots of fun sleepovers with Emily, Andrew, and Lindsay. Birthdays, graduations, and holidays – especially Christmas – were treasured occasions, and Elizabeth delighted in planning celebrations, decorating, choosing thoughtful gifts, baking, and preparing delicious meals for her family. She had perfected the art of potato salad making, and the homemade spicy pickles she made with Mark every summer were unrivalled.

Never one to waste a sunny day, Elizabeth loved heading to the golf course with friends and always looked forward to playing a round with her grandson Andrew. A voracious reader, she loved discussing books with friends and family. She also enjoyed attending opera and musical theatre with her granddaughter Emily and spending creative time doing arts and crafts with her granddaughter Lindsay.

Elizabeth had a sharp mind and loved word puzzles. She enjoyed tackling the Globe & Mail crossword each Saturday and faithfully completed Wordle every day, always texting her results to Shannon and Kristen to share the fun.

Travel was another of Elizabeth’s great passions. She cruised the Caribbean and the Mediterranean and enjoyed memorable trips to Palm Springs, New York City, Disney World, Cape Cod, Europe, Hong Kong, Southeast Asia, and destinations across Canada. Italy held a special place in her heart, particularly the six weeks she spent studying in Siena through a University of Toronto program.

Elizabeth lived a full and rich life centred on family and friendship. She was always curious, always learning, and always open to new experiences. She made friends everywhere she went and took genuine joy in celebrating the successes of others. Elizabeth will be remembered for her grace, gentle nature, style, intelligence, empathy, optimism, joyous laugh – especially during long phone calls with friends – quiet resilience, and deep love of family. She truly was the sun around which our family’s solar system orbited, and we have been blessed by her warmth and light.

Elizabeth will be deeply missed by her treasured lifelong friends Holly Newton (to whom she will always be “Boop”) and Rhonda Taylor (to whom she will always be “Bet”), as well as by her wonderful family of dear friends and neighbours in the Cobble Beach community near Owen Sound. They surrounded Elizabeth with kindness and love during her journey, and we will forever be grateful for the friendship, support, and boundless generosity they showed her and our family. She appreciated every visit, text, phone call, milkshake, lemon bar, jar of homemade soup, Mahjong game, and movie night.

Our family would like to thank Dr. Sandhu, Dr. Majeed, and Dr. Fenn from Brightshores Health System, the oncology nurses and volunteers at Brightshores, Dr. Greenspoon from Juravinski Cancer Centre, Grey County community paramedics, and all of her CarePartners nurses, especially Tammy and Amber. An extra-special thank you to Dr. Dale Edwards for his extraordinary care and compassion – we are deeply grateful. We are also thankful for the kind staff at Chapman House. In keeping with Elizabeth’s strong feelings of gratitude for the high quality of attentive care she received here, the family would appreciate memorial donations to Brightshores Health System Owen Sound Foundation or Grey Bruce Hospice (Chapman House).

A celebration of Elizabeth’s life is being planned for later this spring in Burlington. Details to follow.

Online condolences can be sent to Elizabeth’s family by visiting her memorial at www.woodfuneralhome.ca.