Jean Foley Mcgillis

Jean Foley McGillis, 81, wife of Eugene “Gene” McGillis passed away peacefully of natural causes on May 20, 2015, with her loving family by her side at Solvay Hospice House in Duluth, MN.

Jean was born on November 26, 1933 in Superior, WI and was a longtime Superior resident before retiring to homes in Longboat Key, FL and Lake Nebagamon, WI.

She attended Cathedral School and graduated high school from Holy Angels Academy in Minneapolis, MN. She attended the College of St. Catherine, St. Paul, MN and the University of Wisconsin –Superior and earned a degree in Elementary Education. She taught kindergarten in Beloit, WI for a few years and enjoyed subbing in many schools in the Superior School District for many years while raising her children.

Jean was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church of Lake Nebagamon and also a longtime member of Cathedral of Christ the King Catholic Church of Superior. She was also a member of St. Mary’s Star of the Sea in Longboat Key, FL. Throughout her life Jean was involved in many organizations including the Lucius Woods Performing Arts Center where she served on the board, the Women’s Club of Duluth, Catholic Daughters, Jaycettes, P.E.O. Sisterhood, and the Cathedral School. She enjoyed music and the arts, playing bridge, volunteering, planning social events, socializing with friends, and spending time with her husband, children and fifteen grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents Thomas W. and Helen S. Foley and by her brother Thomas S. Foley.

Surviving Jean are her husband of nearly fifty-eight years, Gene of Lake Nebagamon, WI; her children, Katie (Jay) Sekelsky, Madison, WI, Tim (Judy), Neenah, WI, Patti (Jeff) Steely, Woodbury, MN, TJ (Tiffany), Woodbury, MN and Mark (friend Tracey Grymala), Superior, WI; fifteen grandchildren, Sean, Megan and Brian Sekelsky, Kaitlyn, Elyse, Molly and Brynne McGillis, Sara, Matthew and Nicholas Steely, Kelsie, Kevin and Torun McGillis and Laurin and Mara McGillis; one sister Elaine Blake, Phoenix, AZ; sisters-in-law, Joan Foley, Portage, WI and Mary Harris, Hibbing, MN and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at Cathedral of Christ the King Catholic Church, 1111 Belknap Street, Superior and continue until the 12:00 PM Mass of Christian Burial with Rev. Fr. Andrew Ricci and Rev. Fr. Leon Flaherty, concelebrating the Mass.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Superior.

Pallbearers for the service will be Jean’s five grandsons and nephew James LeBlanc.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Jean’s name to Solvay Hospice House, 801 Baylis Street, Duluth, MN 55811, Cathedral School or Lucius Woods Performing Arts Center.

The Downs-LeSage Funeral Home, 1304 Hammond Avenue, Superior is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave an online condolence or to sign the guestbook, please visit www.downs-lesage.com.