GILLIS, Janice Arlene (Perry) Sydney

Janice Arlene (Perry) Gillis, 58, of Sydney, Nova Scotia passed away Friday, January 15, 2021, at home. Born in Sydney, she was the daughter of the late Albert and Elsie (Lewis) Perry of Westmount, Cape Breton. Janice graduated from Riverview Rural High School and St. Francis Xavier University with a Bachelor of Arts. Later in life, she graduated from NSCC Educational Assistant program and the Institute for Human Services Early Child Education. Music was a big part of Janice’s life. Largely inspired and taught by her father at a young age, she began playing guitar and later, was the lead singer in “The Country Travelers”, the family band that entertained audiences around Cape Breton. As an early childhood educator, Janice loved teaching and caring for young children and often sang and played the guitar for them. As a Christian, her faith was very important and worship music provided her with tremendous strength. Since early years on family camping trips, Janice loved nature, touring, camping, and driving through Cape Breton and Atlantic Canada as often as possible. She was always on the lookout for breathtaking views. “Look! Look how pretty it is!” she would often exclaim in awe. Janice especially loved the beaches each summer, swimming and soaking up the sun. Janice was loved tremendously by her family. As a daughter, sister, aunt, niece, mother and friend, Janice will be sadly missed and remembered fondly for her caring nature, her love of family, her compassion, her patience and for her love of the color purple. Janice is survived by her son, Jameson of Halifax and her brothers, Brian (Sharon O’Neill) of Glace Bay, Darryl (Tyrone Chang) of Toronto and Houston, and Craig (Leone Gouthro) of North Sydney and their families. A private graveside service will take place at Mitchel’s Island Union Church Cemetery, in Point Edward, Cape Breton. Memorials in Janice’s memory may be made to the Eczema Society of Canada (www.eczemahelp.ca ), the Canadian Cancer Society (www.cancer.ca ) or Loaves and Fishes (www.loavesandfishescb.com ). Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.com or emailed to sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca.