Audelina Gladys Gillis, a longtime resident of Pawtucketville in Lowell, died peacefully at home on Sunday, February 7, 2021. She was 87.
Born in northern Argentina, Gladys came to Lowell in 1959 to marry the late James T. Gillis. They met in Buenos Aires, where James was based with the U.S. military. Like many new immigrants to Lowell, she learned to speak English and studied for her citizenship test at the International Institute, through which she made her earliest friends.
Her first job in Lowell was with the Robert Leonard Company, maker of women’s clothing. For many years, Gladys worked as a seamstress for Lemkin’s Fashions on Merrimack St., where she specialized in wedding dresses. She made many a local bride beautiful. Following Lemkin’s, Gladys worked at Wang Laboratories, but eventually returned to the wedding world, taking positions at David’s Bridal and Marry & Tux. She worked well into her seventies because she believed it is important to do work that makes you feel good.
Gladys and James raised their daughters, Anna Maria Gillis and the late Patricia Gillis Jaffe, and Patricia’s sons, Thomas D. Gillis and James D. Gillis, in Lowell. Beloved by her children, grandchildren, extended family and friends, Gladys was fun-loving and generous-hearted. She always had room for another person at the table; people who knew Gladys felt lucky to have her in their lives.
Gladys is survived by Anna Maria, her husband, Timothy Beardsley, and their son, Ben Beardsley, grandson, Thomas and family, and grandson, James D. Gillis. Other U.S. relatives are sister-in-law, Joanne Dubay and her partner, Tom Dyer, nephew, Brian Dubay, and sister-in-law, Rosalie Gillis and family. In Argentina, Gladys is survived by Velia Tolosa de Dib and Alberto and Juan Carlos Tolosa (her siblings) and many nephews, nieces and other relations.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lowell offices of the International Institute of New England, 17 Warren St., Lowell.
On Wednesday, February 24, 2021 a 10 a.m. funeral Mass will be held at St. Rita Church, 158 Mammoth Rd., Lowell. The graveside service will follow at St. Mary Cemetery, 90 River Rd., Tewksbury.
A link to view her livestream will be posted here Tuesday evening.
If you wish to attend the services virtually you may do so at
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83973164840
the stream should begin shortly before the Mass starts at 10 a.m.
hhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/83973164840