Cover photo for Helen Ann Gillis's Obituary
Helen Ann Gillis Profile Photo
1945 Helen 2018

Helen Ann Gillis

November 29, 1945 — October 31, 2018

Mass of Christian Burial for Helen Ann Gillis will be held on Monday, November 5, 2018 at St. Cecilia Catholic Church.  Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery.  Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 4, 2018 from 1-5 p.m. with family greeting friends from 3-5 p.m.  A Rosary will follow at 7:00 p.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church.

Helen Ann Gillis surrounded by her family, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on October 31, 2018 at the age of 72.

The daughter of Carl and Helen Hennessy Helean was born November 29, 1945 in Shawnee, Oklahoma.  It was in Shawnee that she would meet Harold Gillis and they would marry on March 2, 1962.  The newlywed couple made their home in Oklahoma City before moving back to Shawnee and in 1969 moved to Claremore.

Helen quickly became a part of the Claremore community.  Over the years she helped in the Boy Scout and Girl Scout programs. Helen was a delivery person for Meals on Wheels. She was a March of Dimes annual walk organizer, as well as a member of the local Pilot Club.  She presented educational classes on prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and puppet shows for children to promote brain safety.  All of this was done while also working as a Sales Representative for Upco, Inc. She retired from Upco in 2004 after many years of service.

Helen accomplished many things throughout her life.  She was very proud of them all, however, her leadership as a servant of the Lord stands above all.  It all started at St. Benedict's Parish in Shawnee.  Upon her arrival to Claremore she became a member of Christ The King, that is now St. Cecilia Catholic Church.  Her parish life included many duties over the years.  She was a 1st grade CCD teacher and director of the Children's Choir.  She sang in the Community Chorus and cantored at Mass after decades of participating in the church choir. She was actively involved in the Woman's Club helping with funeral dinners and other parish functions.  She served as a Lector and Eucharistic Minister as well as a Pastoral Care Minister starting in 2005.  Serving in church ministries was very rewarding for her.  Helen along with Harold co-facilitated the RCIA program at their church giving these duties up in 2014 after 16 years of service.  She and Harold were also involved in the Food Pantry, where they would place orders and restock the pantry shelves weekly. They retired from those duties in 2016.

Helen was a caring and generous person who put others first.  Her selfless acts of charity reflect her compassion and zeal for the true meaning of discipleship.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Helen Helean; son, John Eric Gillis, sister, Mary Taron, and brothers, Bill and Mike Helean.

Survivors include her husband Harold Gillis; children, Kevin Gillis and wife Cindy, Darla Bugg and husband Kevin; grandchildren, Derek Stevens and wife Diana, Jonathan Gillis and wife Jennifer, Nicholas Gillis and wife Anna, Zachary Gillis and Samuel Gillis; great-grandchildren, Sydney and Eli Stevens, Sophia Gillis (coming soon), sister, Carol Epperson and brother-in-law, Joe Gillis and wife Jan.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to:
Angelheart
11116 E 117th St N
Collinsville, OK 74021

Angelheart provides emotional support to cancer patients and their families.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Helen Ann Gillis, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Sunday, November 4, 2018

1:00 - 5:00 pm (Central time)

MMS - Payne Funeral Home & Cremation Service

102 W 5th St, Claremore, OK 74017

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