Mona Margaret Mcgill

It is with sadness that we announce the death of Mona Margaret McGill. Mona died peacefully at the age of 86 on July 20, 2024, at Glengarry Hospital, surrounded by her family.

Born on July 2, 1938, to Ernest Richard and Mona Margaret (Whittaker) Williams, Mona was the beloved mother of Jeff McGill (Lianne LaPorte), Michael (Cathy) McGill, Jane, and Barb McGill (Shawn Spicer). She was a caring grandmother to Crystal (Scott), Cheryl (Richard), Ryan (Barb), Jamieson, Molly (Anthony), Sally (Nathaniel), Danny, Abby, and Owen, and a great-grandmother to Liam, Aiblhin, Ethan, and Mckayla. Mona is predeceased by her parents, brothers Donald and Howard, and grandson Danny.

Mona grew up in St. Thomas, living initially in an apartment in Williams Funeral Home. She spent her summer holidays at her grandparents' cottage in Port Stanley and at her Aunt Muriel's cottage on Six Mile Lake, beginning a lifelong love of camping and the water. These passions she passed on to her family through extended summer camping trips, hiking, and swimming.

After graduating from the Hamilton General School of Nursing, Mona married Lawrence Howard McGill, embarking on a life of travel. The family moved between the West Coast of Canada, Southern Ontario, and Nigeria. Mona would pack up the station wagon, tenting across the country with four young children, and then navigating international travel. Later, Mona and Larry lived in Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, Cambodia, and United Arab Emirates, embracing the people, food, and cultures of each place. When possible, Mona offered her nursing skills in local clinics.

Mona was a born nurse. She was bright, incredibly observant, and deeply caring about those around her. As an aunt, she was an important landing place for nieces and nephews, and she was a cherished, thoughtful, and loyal friend. She was also immensely creative, sewing all her children's clothes, altering almost anything, later taking up quilting, and at one time, making beautiful rag dolls and puppets. She ensured that each of her children had some experience on a sewing machine, showing remarkable patience with those who did not have those aptitudes! She was a wonderful cook and could make any place a beautiful home.

First Metropolitan United Church will remember her for her involvement in the choirs and music ministry, and for the incredible costumes and decorations she designed and created for special times of the year, particularly the annual Christmas Pageant.

A lifelong learner, Mona loved the symphony and opera. She attended lectures and loved reading, often swapping books with her friends. Her legacy of love, creativity, and lifelong learning will live on in the hearts of her family and all who knew her.

The family wishes to thank the people at the Renaissance Retirement Residence, Island Health Home Support, Seniors Outpatient Clinic, and Glengarry Hospital for their care, kindness and compassion.

At Mona’s request, no formal ceremony is planned at this time. You can, however, offer memories and condolences at www.earthsoption.com

Donations may be in Mona’s name to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. www.heartandstroke.ca