Margaret (Marge) Gillis died on Aug. 2. She was 97.
Gillis was born on Oct. 20, 1928, in Rhinebeck, the daughter of John and Rebecca (Kruse) Muller and grew up in Mount Ross, a hamlet outside of Pine Plains. She graduated from Pine Plains schools and moved to New York City at the age of 18, where she worked for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. and later for the Reformed Church.
While living in the city, she met Francis Gillis, whom she called “Gil.” The couple married and eventually moved back upstate, built a home, and started a family. After her husband’s death, she worked for 20 years for the Pine Plains Central School District.
Gillis is survived by a son, Jeff (Anne Chaisson) Gillis; a daughter, Julie (Bruce) Myers; and a granddaughter, Greta Myers; a sister, Martha Ball; a brother-in-law, Fred “Buddy” Merriam; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, a sister, Sophia (Honey) Merriam and a brother, John (Dick) Muller, died before her.
Marge was such a kind, patient person. As a newly returning to the workforce teacher, I appreciated her patient instruction for me with the various materials and procedures in how to reserve them for my classroom.
I enjoyed her sense of humor and her gentleness with the kids and teachers.
I loved the pictures that accompanied her obituary site – a lot of family, fun and love.