Helen T. Gillis

SOUTH PORTLAND - Helen T. Gillis died Thursday, June 9th at the Gosnell House following a brief illness. She lingered long enough to allow time for visits with family and friends. She was born, Helen Theresa McCue, on October 19, 1923 in Portland, Maine, the youngest daughter of John B. and Helen A. McCue. The family resided on Munjoy Hill, of which she was extremely proud. She attended Cathedral Grammar School and graduated from Cathedral High School in 1941. After high school, Helen was employed at the South Portland Shipyard during the war effort. She drove a forklift and was proud to have been chosen to load munitions onto the ships, deemed to have had a more steady hand than the other drivers. On June 25, 1945 she married Edward F. Gillis at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. They lived on 54 Grant Street until 1952 when they moved to 69 Fifth Street (Sprague), South Portland. She settled into life as a homemaker and mother of four boys. She was active in parent groups at Holy Cross School and was a member of the Cheverus Mothers Club. After the boys were somewhat under control, she entered the real estate business with her husband, eventually taking over the management of several Portland apartment buildings. She established long term relationships with many of her tenants. Helen was a 50 year member of Beta Sigma Phi, a women's service organization, and a source of great enjoyment and lifelong friendships. She was a loyal, long term parishioner of Holy Cross Church, and a longtime volunteer at the Maine Medical Center. Over the years, she enjoyed traveling, taking many trips to various locations with friends and family. She loved shopping on Congress Street, later transitioning to the Mall, where her almost daily trips were more about the people she met up with, since she seldom came home with purchases. When her granddaughters entered Catherine McAuley High School, she gladly joined them and the McAuley Community at many events and almost every basketball game over the last six years. She was quick to point out that she was alum and only three weeks ago was honored on stage as a "Legacy" at her granddaughter's graduation. For many years, breakfast at Uncle Andy's in South Portland was a home away from home and a great source of recreation. Unable to drive the last two years, with the tremendous help of niece, Jerralyn Cadigan and friend, Allison Skillings, she reached the goal of living in her beloved home until the end. Helen was predeceased by her husband, Eddie in 2000; son, Mark T. in 2003; and sister, Mary E. McCue in 2010. Survivors include her sister, Jane Flint of Yarmouth; her sons, Ed of Key West, FL; Michael (Karen) of San Diego, CA; Peter (Susan) of Cape Elizabeth; two granddaughters, Helen M. and Nona E. Gillis of Cape Elizabeth; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Helen was predeceased by her husband, Eddie in 2000; son, Mark T. in 2003; and sister, Mary E. McCue in 2010. Survivors include her sister, Jane Flint of Yarmouth; her sons, Ed of Key West, FL; Michael (Karen) of San Diego, CA; Peter (Susan) of Cape Elizabeth; two granddaughters, Helen M. and Nona E. Gillis of Cape Elizabeth; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. In lieu of flowers, donations in Helen's memory may be made to: Catherine McAuley High School, 631 Stevens Avenue, Portland, Maine 04103 or Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 US Route 1 STE 1, Scarborough, Maine 04074.Online Condolences for Helen Gillis