Margaret Gillis

Margaret Hull Gillis passed away Saturday morning peacefully at her home on Raquette River Drive with her family at her side. She was born on June 4, 1929, to William and Margaret (Meagher) Hull from Mineola, Long Island. The William Hull family moved to Tupper Lake in 1936. Maggi attended local schools and graduated from TLHS as salutatorian of her class. She went on to study at Stephens College in Colombia, Missouri. She returned to Tupper Lake and married the love of her life, Robert J. Gillis in 1951. They made their home at Moody and raised a family of five children.

Maggi was known for her many business endeavors, beginning as the Postmaster of Moody until its closure in the late 1950's. She and Bob then bought Country Cottages, overnight cabins on Tupper Lake, hosting guests from all over the country, many of which became life long friends of the family. Maggi went on to teach at Holy Ghost Academy as a substitute and full time teacher. In 1969, Maggi established the Market Place with local businesswoman Lorraine LaValley. A few years later, Bob and Maggi became proprietors and expanded it to become a popular stop for many local shoppers. Their five children, numerous relatives and local young adults learned skillful work habits through Maggi's loving supervision. In 1983, after selling the Market Place, Maggi entered into the real estate business beginning with Century 21 and from there, she established Gillis Realty, Inc, owned and operated today by her oldest son and his wife, Rob and Lisa Gillis.

After retirement in 1998, Maggi and Bob traveled extensively in their motor home enjoying such pursuits as lighthouse keepers in Port Orford, Oregon, serving as camp ground hosts in national and state parks, and visiting friends and relatives throughout the United States. They settled in Palm Harbor and Hudson Florida during the winter season and in Maggi's inimitable way, developed deep friendships with neighbors.

One of Maggi's greatest passions was quilting. She was a founding member of the Raquette River Quilters and continued to quilt with her niece Fran Moeller and friends. Her numerous artistic creations hang in her children's and grandchildren's homes.

Maggi was a passionate reader and supporter of the local library, serving as a director for many years on the Goff-Nelson Library Board and later as a liaison to the Clinton-Essex Franklin library board.

Maggi believed in hard work and scholarship and was able to have it all -she was a loving wife and fantastic mother yet attained the goals she set for herself in education and business. She had boundless energy, a positive remark to all, and a deep intellect that fed her creative self. Maggi's devotion to her family, friends, and endeavors made her impact enormous.

She is survived by her husband Robert Gillis, her five children and their families: Kathleen and William Sparks of Lutz, Florida and their twin sons Robert and John of Pennsylvania, Jane and David Laliberte and their son Eliot of Vancouver, Washington, Barbara and Brian Bonneau and their children Henry and Kimberly Higgins of Skowhegan, Maine, Rob and Lisa Gillis and their children Riley and Libby, and John and Patty Gillis and their children Lyndon, Colin, and Ian all of Tupper Lake.

She is also survived by her twin sister, Maureen Hull Root and younger sister, Suzanne Hull Frenette and her husband James Frenette. She is survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was predeceased by her brother, Lyndon Hull and his wife Faith of Pontiac, Michigan, and her brother-in-law, Ernest Root of Tupper Lake.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to High Peaks Hospice or Goff-Nelson Memorial Library to honor Maggi.