Obituary of Edna Regina McGill

McGILL, Edna R.-It is with sadness that the family of Edna Regina (Driscoll) McGill announce her passing on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at Loch Lomond Villa. She was born in 1917, the daughter of the late Michael John and Margaret Jane (Maggie Maguire) Driscoll. In 1942 she married Francis Joseph McGill, a proud "lower West Sider". who was Frank to everyone else but "Fran" to her. Together they raised a large family on the Cottage Rd. in East Saint John. She was a dear sweet lady, devoted to her family, especially all the babies. Born on the Strait Shore (formerly Chesley St.) and immersed into a strong Irish Catholic culture, she inherited the wicked humor and storytelling abilities of her mother, Maggie (No house party ever started until Maggie got there). Yet Edna, or Girlie to her family, was like her father and hers was a quiet style. You had to wait and listen for it. She could keep you spellbound and make you laugh and cry at the same time. Edna had a very strong faith that sustained her through her life. She is survived by her children: Jane (Clive) Pitts; twins, Peter (Barbara) McGill and Pat McGill; Francis (Linda) McGill Jr.; twins, Michael (Cathy) McGill and Mary (Bob) Crowley; and foster daughter Shelley O'Sullivan (Mark) Russell. She was blessed with 16 grandchildren: Clive (Claire) and Simon Pitts; Michael (Andrea) Tilley, Jennie Bourque and Heather Tilley (Gregory Davis); Charlotte (Trevor) Pierce, Ali (Tushar) Pishe, Corey and Emily McGill; Emma and Ian Crowley; Matthew, Patrick and Jordan McGill; Rebecca and Samantha Russell. Living for 93 years she also welcomed 14 great-grandchildren: Jack and Evie Pitts; Jack, Lauren, Grace and Colin Tilley; Liam Bourque; Anna, Thomas, Henry, Bridget and Charlie Pierce; and Neel and Leena Pishe. Besides her parents and husband, Edna was predeceased by her brothers, Samuel and Francis (Mike) Driscoll and a baby sister, Margaret Jane, and by her beloved first son Charles John McGill in 1958. Resting at Fitzpatrick's Funeral Home, 100 Waterloo St., with visiting on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Peter's Church on Monday morning at eleven o'clock. Interment will take place in Holy Cross Cemetery. Donations in memory of Edna may be made to the Loch Lomond Villa Foundation, the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation-Women and Children's Program, or the charity of your choice.