Elizabeth A. Gillis Obituary
Betty was the wife of Stephen D. Gillis of Gloucester, MA, with whom she shared 38 wonderful years of marriage. Betty was born on October 5, 1947, in Rockport, MA, to the late Charles R. and Marguerite M. Thibodeau. The third of eight children, Betty, enjoyed an idyllic childhood filled with love and laughter.
Betty graduated from Westford Academy in 1966 and went on to work for companies such as Raytheon, Foster Grant, and Berkee Photo. While raising two young sons as a single mother, Betty proudly achieved her dream of attending college, earning a bachelor's degree in accounting, she did so with honors. Subsequently, she went on to work as an accountant in numerous firms.
Betty was an incredible cook and baker who loved sharing her culinary creations with family and friends. Some of her fondest memories were of Thanksgiving Eves, when she would spend hours with her sisters and extended family preparing and cooking the huge feast that they would all enjoy on Turkey Day. Betty was an avid daily walker, loved to dance, and enjoyed parties at The Ackerman's' with family and friends. She and Steve enjoyed numerous trips to the North End, up to Marginal Way, and various New England Coastal towns, down to Florida, and regular trips out to the West Coast to visit their youngest son and his family.
To Betty, family was everything. She was immensely proud of her two sons and their beautiful children and cherished a long and loving marriage to her husband. Her extremely close relationship with her brothers and sisters was an important part of the foundation of her life—the treasured memories of their childhood in Rockport, times spent at the beach with cousins and friends, afternoons spent horseback riding, and visiting her grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Such experiences provided her with a wonderful childhood.
She was a longtime member of The Rockport Golf Club (where she celebrated two hole-in-ones), and enjoyed many adventures with her golfing family, especially their annual trips to Lake Morey.
Betty is survived by her loving husband, Steve, and her two devoted sons, Scott A. Wonkka of Gloucester, and Todd S. Wonkka (Marissa) of California. She was the beloved Mimi to three adored grandchildren, Emily Rae Wonkka of Gloucester, Kade and Kanon Wonkka of California. She also leaves six siblings, Peg Kiefer (Walt), Charles Thibodeau (Stacey), Stephen Thibodeau, Buffy Lee (Bruce) Rowell, Wes (Debbie) Thibodeau, Christina (David) Ackerman; her mother-in-law, Pauly Gillis, and brothers- and sisters-in-law, Bob (Pixie) Gillis, Mike (Maryke) Gillis, Danny (Zoe) Gillis, Missy (Shayne) Kintzel, and Maureen (John) Collins. Additionally, she is remembered by numerous loving nieces, nephews, and many dear friends.
Betty was predeceased by her parents; beloved sister, Didi Bellegarde; nephew, Michael Kiefer, and her treasured canine companions, Bella, Cody, Misty, Vikki, Polly, Jake, Fritzy, and Brandy.
Visiting hours will be held in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, from 4 to 7 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend.
Her Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. in St. Joachim's Church, Broadway, Rockport. Burial will follow in Beech Grove Cemetery, Rockport.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to support the animals Betty loved so much at Cape Ann Animal Aid, 4 Paw's Lane, Gloucester, MA 01930.
