Joyce Gillis

BANGOR - Joyce Ellen Gillis, 89, passed on May 3, 2025, at her daughter's home in Levant. Joyce was born in Bangor, Maine, on February 17, 1936, the daughter of James and Hazel (Cunningham) Morrison.

Joyce graduated from Bangor High School in June 1955, and married her high school sweetheart, Roger, November 9, 1955, in Waco, Texas. After returning from Texas, she worked in the nursery at Dow Air Force Base and went on to have a home daycare for many years.

She was a member of The Order of the Eastern Star and was passionately involved in The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, a Masonic youth organization for young girls. She served as dean of the Grand Cross of Color for the state of Maine from 1989 to 2013, and had been district dean for several years prior. She was co-executor of the Ella (Mum) Ifill Scholarship fund, benefiting girls in the organization.

She was a no-nonsense woman, who also enjoyed a little nonsense from time to time. Flowers always brought her great joy, and she lovingly tended her gardens well into her later years.

She loved to shop and could spend hours looking for a bargain at Marden's, Reny's or Ocean State Job Lots.

Family meant everything to her, including her furry kin. She had a soft spot for strays and welcomed many into her heart and home throughout her life.

In recent years, some of her happiest moments were spent at camp, sitting on the dock in the sun, watching her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids (not to mention assorted family dogs) play in the lake.

Joyce was the family caregiver. She touched many hearts in her life. She will be missed by her eldest daughter, Chris Gillis and partner, James Jazwa, and their son, Max and daughter-in-law, Elif; daughter, Hanna and son-in-law, Spencer; by her middle daughter, Karen Godin and husband, David, and their sons, Brennan and Cullen, Cullen's fiancee, Ashley Deluck, and grandsons, Owen and Griffin; by her son, Ian Gillis and wife, Marcia, and their children, Valery, Mackenzie and Delainy; by her nephew, Roy Tripp and wife, Liz, and their son, Preston; and by her special niece, Joyce Welty, her son, Chris and his wife, Wendy, and their children, Austin and Sara. She will also be missed by many well-loved extended family members. Joyce was predeceased by her parents, James and Hazel; her husband, Roger; and her sister, Frances.

Her family would like to provide a special thanks to Visiting Angels. Kerry, who became like family during Joyce's time at home, thank you for your love, laughter and steadfast care, and Heidie who could always make her chuckle. Special thanks to the folks at Northern Light Home Health and Hospice, to Ben her physical therapist, whose visits and stories about his growing family were always something she looked forward to and her hospice nurse Ashley, who she enjoyed long conversations with and whose flower garden pictures brought her joy. A heartfelt thank you to the staff at Ross Waterman Rehab Unit for the care and kindness you showed Joyce over her many stays.

A graveside ceremony will be held at Mount Hope Cemetery in Bangor, on June 28 at 1 p.m. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. following the ceremony at Season's Restaurant in Bangor. In their lives, Joyce and Roger supported many charities and believed in paying things forward. They had a special fondness for charities involving animals. Those who wish to honor Joyce in a special way are encouraged to give gifts in her memory to the Bangor Humane Society, D.E.L.A.S. or their favorite animal nonprofit. Condolences can be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.