ANN COLGAN GILLIS
CENTERVILLE, MA Ann Colgan Gillis died peacefully on January 25th at the Pavilion Rehabilitation
and Nursing Center in Hyannis. Ann was born in Providence, RI on December 24, 1934 to the
late Dr. and Mrs. James F. (Martha L. Coffey) Colgan.
Ann graduated from the Academy of the Sacred Heart, Elmhurst in 1952. She attended Newton
College of the Sacred Heart and graduated from The Garland School, Boston in 1955. Ann then
taught pre-school for two years at the Gordon School in Providence.
Ann spent summers at “Bend O’ the Road” her family’s summer home in Centerville. She spent
many hours swimming, golfing, playing tennis and socializing at both The Beach Club and the
Oyster Harbors Club.
On September 6, 1958, Ann married Francis “Frank” Duffly Gillis at Our Lady of Victory where
she was the church’s very first bride. After honeymooning on the French ocean liner the
“Liberte”, Ann and Frank settled in the midlands of England where Frank continued his career in
the wool trade.
After Frank’s passing in 1982, Ann returned to her beloved Centerville where she and Frank had
also lived.
She then happily worked for Cape Cod Bank & Trust for fourteen years.
Ann served as President of the Centerville Historical Society following in the footsteps of her
parents who had been the organization’s second and third presidents.
During her sixty-six years as a parishioner at Our Lady of Victory, Ann was active in several
ministries including as a lector and Eucharistic Minister.
Ann had many devoted, cherished, friends and she now joins many who have previously
passed. She leaves behind her beloved Debbie Bryant, Betsy Alper and the entire Murphy
family.
Among Ann’s friends was childhood neighbor Cammie King Conlon, who portrayed Bonnie Blue
Butler in 1939’s Gone with the Wind. Ann and Cammie remained best friends until Cammie’s
passing in 2010.
A funeral mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Victory on Friday, February 10 th at 11:00am.
There will be no calling hours and burial in Mosswood Cemetery will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Lady of Victory Church, 230 South Main
Street, Centerville, MA 02632 or to The Resident Council Fund, c/o The Pavilion, 876 Falmouth
Road, Hyannis, MA 02601.