GILLEN, Rita Lilian

February 24, 1926 - March 20, 2023

Rita Lilian Gillen was beautiful, elegant and articulate; the shining star of her

beloved husband Ted’s life for 73 years. Cherished mother of Kevin, Lolly,

Shelley and Patrick, Rita lived her life to the fullest. She never lost her curiosity

about the people and the world around her; never lost her passion for intelligent

conversation, a good book, Verdi, or costume parties; never appeared at

breakfast without full make-up, jewelry and her hair done; believed in daily

doses of laughter. And dared to dream about flying to Italy with her family for an

upcoming grandson’s wedding.

Rita celebrated her 97th birthday her favourite way, with a swanky family

shindig. Then, she quietly left us on the first day of spring, March 20, 2023,

knowing she was loved.

The only daughter of James G.W. and Lilian Evelyn Floyd (nee Baker), Rita was

born in East London on February 24, 1926. She spent many summers with her

maternal grand-parents on Canvey Island and worked at the Daily Express on

Fleet Street, before sailing to Canada, at the age of 21, aboard the Queen

Elizabeth 1. She landed a job at the Globe and Mail and her parents and

younger brother, Raymond, soon joined her in Toronto. Rita met the handsome

Henry Edward (Ted) Gillen at The 700 Club for British newcomers. They were

married in six months, on June 24, 1950. Three years later, they started their

family.

Social and ever fun-loving, Rita and Ted built a wonderful life together; European

vacations, fancy ballroom dancing, summer cottages, farm houses, horse

shows, cruises and boating with their four children on the Lady Rita. The Gillen

house was filled with music. Rita became a fabulous cook, and threw

extravagant dinner parties for their friends and family. While Ted played his

accordion, she gathered the women for energetic bouts of Knees Up Mother

Brown.

Rita adored antique furniture — almost as much as diamonds and gold — and

she and Ted combed the countryside, in search of auction gems and properties.

Rita sanded and painted while Ted reupholstered, and together they transformed

abandoned country houses into cozy family escapes.

Ted worked as a realtor and every night was the same; a dry Martini and a game

of scrabble with Rita before she served dinner. The kids knew it was their time.

And when the kids were gone, it was just Rita and Ted tooling around Lake

Ontario in their next boat, Laidback. Ted was captain and Rita threw the ropes.

But Rita Gillen was also resilient; stronger than she knew. She’d come of age

during the Second World War bombing blitz of London. After thirty years at

home, she went back to work because it was necessary. She looked after Ted

when he was diagnosed with Leukaemia and cared for him when his heart failed.

She leant an ear to her children and grandchildren with troubles; had a heart

valve replaced at 85 and a second hip replaced at 90, to get out of a wheelchair.

And when Ted required more care than even she could give, Rita finally had to

manage without him. 

Remembered by her beloved husband, Ted, son Kevin Gillen and daughter-inlaw

Dori Gillen, daughters Laurel (Lolly) and Shelley Gillen, son Patrick Gillen and

daughter-in-law Wendy Chan, her brother Raymond (Ray) Floyd and sister-in-law

Linda Floyd, her cousin Iris Johnston, her grandchildren Daniel (Irene) Gillen, Kaitlin

(Ian) Crewe, Brianna Gillen, Rylan (Elena) Harvey and Brooks (Samantha) Harvey, her

nephews David and Craig Floyd and Grant and Brett Johnston, her great-grandchildren

Olivia and Alex Gillen and Leon Harvey, and all her great-nephews

and great-nieces. Also mourned by dear friends and her loving caregiver, Jocelyn,

Alayon.

Donations to Sunnybrook Veterans Centre.

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