If you searched for the Martha M. Gillis obituary, you may be looking for one of several women with that name. Two published notices could be confirmed, and both are from years ago. This page lists each one so you can find the right person.
Latest Update: October 5, 2026
As of October 5, 2026, no obituary for a Martha M. Gillis dated in 2026 has been found in the sources checked. Both confirmed notices are older. If you expected a recent notice, it may not be posted or indexed yet, so check with the funeral home that is handling arrangements.
Martha M. Gillis of New Waterford, Nova Scotia (1923–2017)
Martha M. Gillis died on Tuesday, November 21, 2017, at the age of 94. McGillivray Funeral Home in New Waterford lists her birth date as April 22, 1923. She was born in New Waterford, the daughter of Duncan and Mary Jennet (Hawley) Currie (source: McGillivray Funeral Home).
Her family remembered her as a woman of deep faith. She was a member of the Parish Church of St. Leonard and was at one time an active member of the C.W.L., a Catholic women’s league. The obituary says her greatest pride was her husband and her 12 children, and that her favorite saying was that she would do it all over again.
Her husband, Alexander Gillis, died before her. She had nine daughters and three sons, and the notice lists eight daughters and three sons as survivors, along with 29 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren. A daughter, Jenny, and two great-grandchildren also died before her, as did her siblings. The notice calls her the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Visitation was held Friday, November 24, 2017, at V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home on Smith Street. The funeral mass was Saturday, November 25, 2017, at the Parish Church of St. Leonard, with burial at St. Agnes Cemetery. The family asked for donations to Nora’s House or a charity of choice.
Martha Marie (Hitchens) Gillis of Lewes, Delaware (1920–2008)
Martha Marie (Hitchens) Gillis died peacefully on Friday, February 8, 2008, at her daughter’s home in Goose Creek, South Carolina, at the age of 88. She was born on January 10, 1920, in Milton, Delaware, the daughter of Robert James and Laura Mae (Moore) Hitchens (source: Parsell Funeral Homes).
She was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church and the Order of the Eastern Star, Unity Chapter 16. She worked at Mrs. Bradley’s Restaurant in Lewes, at Hocker’s Brush Factory, and at the Hosiery Mill in Lewes. The notice describes her as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her husband, Irving C. Gillis, died in 2004.
The funeral service was held on Friday, February 15, 2008, at 11 a.m. at Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, in Lewes, with Pastor Fred Duncan officiating. Interment was at Bethel Methodist Cemetery in Lewes.
Martha M. Gillis Age
Each woman had a different age. The New Waterford Martha M. Gillis was 94 (April 22, 1923, to November 21, 2017). The Lewes Martha Marie Gillis was 88 (January 10, 1920, to February 8, 2008). Both ages match the dates in their notices.
Education, Net Worth, Height
None of these are stated in either notice. They are not covered for private individuals.
Quick Table
| Detail | New Waterford, NS | Lewes, DE |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Martha M. Gillis | Martha Marie (Hitchens) Gillis |
| Born | April 22, 1923, New Waterford | January 10, 1920, Milton, Delaware |
| Died | November 21, 2017 | February 8, 2008, Goose Creek, SC |
| Age at Death | 94 | 88 |
| Parents | Duncan and Mary Jennet (Hawley) Currie | Robert James and Laura Mae (Moore) Hitchens |
| Husband | Alexander Gillis (deceased) | Irving C. Gillis (died 2004) |
| Faith and Groups | Parish Church of St. Leonard; C.W.L. | Bethel United Methodist Church; Order of the Eastern Star |
| Funeral Home | V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home | Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium |
Reader Questions
Who was Martha M. Gillis?
There is more than one. The two confirmed notices are for a 94-year-old from New Waterford, Nova Scotia, and an 88-year-old from Lewes, Delaware.
When did Martha M. Gillis die?
The New Waterford Martha M. Gillis died on November 21, 2017. The Lewes Martha Marie Gillis died on February 8, 2008.
How old was Martha M. Gillis?
It depends on which one. The New Waterford woman was 94, and the Lewes woman was 88.
How many children did Martha M. Gillis of New Waterford have?
She had 12 children, nine daughters and three sons, according to her obituary. One daughter died before her.
Is there a 2026 obituary for Martha M. Gillis?
None was found as of October 5, 2026. Check the funeral home or local newspaper if you believe one was published recently.
Where was Martha M. Gillis buried?
The New Waterford Martha M. Gillis was buried at St. Agnes Cemetery. The Lewes Martha Marie Gillis was interred at Bethel Methodist Cemetery.
How can I find the right Martha M. Gillis obituary?
Search with a city, age, or spouse’s name, then confirm on the funeral home’s own page. A husband’s name such as Alexander or Irving helps tell these two apart.
Wrap-Up
The two notices tell very different stories. One is about a mother of 12 in a Cape Breton mining town. The other is about a Delaware woman who worked in local restaurants and factories and belonged to her Methodist church and the Eastern Star.
A common name often leads to mixed-up results, and spouse names, birth dates, and towns are the most reliable way to tell the notices apart.
As of October 5, 2026, two Martha M. Gillis obituaries are confirmed, both from earlier years, and no 2026 notice has been found.
Disclaimer
This article is based on publicly available obituary notices checked on October 5, 2026. Details not found in those notices are marked as unavailable or left out. If you were looking for a different Martha M. Gillis, please contact the funeral home that published the notice.
