Geraldine “Jerry” (Miller) Gillis, 94, of Peabody and formerly of Lynn, died Tuesday November 16, at the Oakdale Nursing and Rehab Center in West Boylston.

Born in Swampscott on December 30, 1926, Jerry was the daughter of the late Herbert E Miller, Sr. and Mabel E (Bartlett) Miller. She was raised and educated in Lynn and was a graduate of Lynn English High School, class of 1944. After marrying the late Donald W Gillis, Sr in 1947, Jerry eventually moved to Peabody where she lived for over 60 years. She became a widow at age thirty-nine and determinedly finished raising her 6 children by herself. Jerry worked as a secretary to support her family, eventually finding her favorite job as secretary for the South Memorial Elementary School in Peabody where she worked for 15 yrs. She was always proud of the accomplishments of “her” South School kids as they moved on into the world.

She loved all Boston sports and could usually be found knitting or crocheting while watching a game, often with members of her large family. She was an avid card player as well. She had a love of dancing and belonged to the Squares in Focus square dancing club in the 1970s. In her later years she loved to watch country and western dancing shows.

Jerry is survived by her three sons and daughters-in-law, Daniel and Betsy Gillis of Danvers, Richard and Janice Gillis of Franklin, and David and Linda Gillis of Peabody who lived with her and cared for her in her Alden Rd home in her later years, her daughter and son-in-law Jeanne and Peter Borge of West Boylston, and her daughter-in-law Sandra Gillis of Brockton. She also leaves her ten much-loved grandchildren: Scott and Craig Gillis, Kellie Walgreen, Hollie Fritschle, Patty Anastasi, Matthew Gillis, Miki Toth, Ian Gillis, Katie and Andrea Borge, and her eleven great grandchildren: Madison, Scott Jr, Ella, Averie, Bree, Hailey, Diana, Gabby, Luca, Ayden and Hattie. She was predeceased by her son Donald W Gillis Jr, her daughter Margaret Elizabeth “Peggy” Gillis, her brother Herbert E Miller, Jr and her grandson, James Francis Gillis.

Family and friends are invited to a Memorial Service in Jerry’s honor on Friday Aug 12 at 10:30 AM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St, Peabody. There will be a visiting hour with family from 9:30-10:30. Burial to follow at Pine Grove Cemetery in Lynn.

If so moved, In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her name to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St, Framingham, MA 01701.