It is with great sadness that the family of Cecilia Catherine Gillingham announces her passing at the Western long term care palliative care unit, Corner Brook, NL, on October 14, 2023, aged 69 years.

She was surrounded by her loving family who never left her side. Cecilia was the most wonderful mother, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and touched the lives of everyone she met. She had a gift for caring for children. She raised two of her own and opened her loving arms to raise one of her granddaughters as well. Cecilia loved caring for many children over the years and that certainly was her calling. She fought so many battles over the years that she overcame with grace. She was a warrior. Her strength and determination to fight through every obstacle in her life showed her family and friends that she was the strongest woman they knew.

Left to mourn is her loving husband of 50 years, Clarence Gillingham; her children, Catherine Jenkins (Pernell) and Jason Gillingham (Jeff); granddaughters, Samantha Martin (Zachary) and Tiffany Knight (Jordan); her beloved great-grandchildren, Aiden, Ashton and Brooke; siblings, Helen (Tom), Dorothy (Jim), Mary (Joe), Bernice, Jerome (Priscilla); as well as a large circle of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Cecilia is predeceased by her brothers, Gerard, Phil, Loyola and Mark Fitzgerald; her parents,  Loretta and Bernard Fitzgerald; and her two beautiful babies, Brian and Catherine.

Our family would like to thank everyone who has supported us through this difficult time and to everyone who has helped Cecilia along her journey. A special thank you to the Dialysis Unit and the Palliative Care Unit at the Western Memorial Regional Hospital. Cecilia would always comment on how wonderful the nurses and doctors were to her and was so happy and thankful for the way she was treated until the very end. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

In keeping with her wishes there will be a private visitation for family and friends, Friday, October 20, 2023 from 2 - 4 pm at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home, Baie Verte.  A private vigil for family and friends will take place Friday, October 20, 2023 at 6:30 pm.

The public Mass of Christian Burial will take place Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 1 pm from St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church, Baie Verte, NL.

The interment will follow at the St. Pius X Roman Catholic Cemetery, Baie Verte, NL.

As expressions of sympathy donations in her memory may be made to the family. ( P.O. Box 327 Baie Verte, NL  A0K 1B0 )

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Sunset Memorial Funeral Home, 22 Main Street, Baie Verte, NL.