Shirley Gilhula

Obituary of Shirley Frances Gilhula

Gilhula, Shirley Frances (nee Phillips) 

Shirley Gilhula passed away peacefully at Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at the age of 80.

She is the daughter of the late James and Sarah (nee Iler) Phillips.

Shirley is reunited with her late husband, John Francis Cameron (Cam) Gilhula (2019).

Loving mother of Lawrence Cameron (Shelley) Gilhula of Chatham, Terence John (Wendy) Gilhula of Knoxville TN and Gerald Francis (Karen) Gilhula of Toronto.

Grandmother of J. Connor Gilhula (Sarah) of Santa Fe NM, Clare E. Gilhula of Toronto, Evan Ashlin Gilhula of Portland OR, Daniel F. Gilhula of Toronto, Gabriel D.J. Gilhula of Toronto and Ethan J.W. Gilhula of London.

Sister of the late Evelyn (Stephen) Gillespie of London, Helen (late Joseph) Allegretti of Carson City NV, Florence (Adrian) vandenEnden of Chatham and Richard (Bernardine) Phillips of Tilbury.

Sister-in-law of Patricia (late Frank) Bossolini of Chatham, the late David (Barb) Gilhula of Cambridge ON and Marianne (Dan) Lucio of Chatham. 

Loved and remembered by many nieces and nephews. 

Shirley was an active member of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Chatham and the Catholic Women's League as well as Holy Family Parish, Sauble Beach. She lived a life of deep faith, starting each day and ending every evening with her prayer list. She kept a rosary in every room, and one was always warm. Shirley was mom to three, Nana to six and teacher to countless others, fulfilling her lifelong mission to help care for God’s children. 

The family will receive friends at McKinlay Funeral Home, 459 St. Clair Street, Chatham on Sunday, October 2, 2022  from 2:00 - 4:00 pm and 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Vigil prayers at 7:00 p.m.

The Funeral Mass to take place at St. Patrick’s Church, 5773 Tenth Line, Merlin ON, on Monday at 11:00 am. Burial to follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery Merlin.

In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Patrick's Church & Shrine, Merlin (cash or cheque donations only) would be greatly appreciated. 

Online condolences may be left at www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com

McKinlay Funeral Home, 
459 St. Clair Street, Chatham
519-351-2040

Sunday
2
October

Visitation

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Sunday, October 2, 2022
McKinlay Funeral Home - Chatham
459 St. Clair Street
Chatham, Ontario, Canada
Sunday
2
October

Visitation

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Sunday, October 2, 2022
McKinlay Funeral Home - Chatham
459 St. Clair Street
Chatham, Ontario, Canada
Sunday
2
October

Vigil Prayers

7:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Sunday, October 2, 2022
McKinlay Funeral Home - Chatham
459 St. Clair Street
Chatham, Ontario, Canada
Monday
3
October

Funeral Mass

11:00 am
Monday, October 3, 2022
St. Patrick's Catholic Church
5773 Tenth Line
Merlin, Ontario, Canada
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Shirley