Version 6.01

11 February 2025

David March © 2014

WILMA ISOBELLE and MARION KATHERINE GILLIES

Wilma Isobelle Gillies and Marion Katherine Gillies were sisters born in Saskatoon. Wilma was born in 1914 & Marion in 1916 to William James Gillies (1879-1949) & Isabella Janet McLean (1887-1943). Their father William J was a dentist. He was still single when he came to Saskatoon in 1911 and roomed at the Western Hotel whilst he established a dental practice at Kerr Block, 242 2nd Ave S. He married Isabella on Christmas Day 1912 and they subsequently moved into 433 11th St. By the time that he and Isabella were starting their family they had moved to 1002 Melrose Ave which was to be their home for thirty years.

In 1918, William and Isabella were members of the Red Cross society in Saskatoon. This connection may explain how their daughters’ names came to be on the quilt.

The two girls seem to have lived with their parents. Both found work as secretaries at University of Saskatchewan at various times. It may well be that they also assisted with the clerical side of the dental practice. The whole family made trip to Puerto Rico in June 1937.

Isabelle died on Christmas Eve 1943. William died on 21 March 1949. It is thought that Marion died in 1952.

Wilma made a trip to England in May 1953. She married William Dutka (d 2006) probably in 1961 and moved with him to Winnipeg where he was a dentist living at 453 Queenston Rd and had his practice at 472 Academy Rd. Wilma died in December 1997.

This family tree can be found on Ancestry under the title 3rd Ave Gillies Tree.