Josephine Adelaide (Gulliver) McGillan

FORT FAIRFIELD / SCARBOROUGH – Josephine Adelaide McGillan passed away peacefully at Maine Medical Center in Portland, surrounded by loving family on July 17, 2024, at the age of 84.

She was born in Fort Fairfield on May 22, 1940, the daughter of Philip and Margaret (Nichols) Gulliver. “Joie” was a graduate of Fort Fairfield High School, class of 1958. She was a homemaker, the business office manager for Fred McGillan Company for several decades, and worked at Hannaford Brothers Corporate Headquarters in Scarborough, retiring after nearly 19 years.

When residing in Fort Fairfield, she was a communicant of the Parish of the Precious Blood – St. Denis Catholic Church, member of Beta Sigma Phi Preceptor Gamma Chapter, served on the Fort Fairfield Alumni Association Board, and volunteered as the Girl Scout Cookie distribution leader.

Joie’s favorite things involved her family and spending time with her grandchildren—from sharing a good meal and stories to playing cards and doing puzzles. She loved family reunions, gatherings at the lake, cooking, making strawberry jam, and canning fresh vegetables straight from the garden. Joie was a dedicated Red Sox fan, and will be remembered as a loving mother, Nana, Great Nana, sister, aunt, and friend to all who knew her.

In addition to her parents, Josephine was predeceased by her son, Fredrick “JR” McGillan, Jr.

She is survived by her three daughters and sons-in-law, Lori McGillan of Scarborough, Deborah and Jonathan Roark of Gordon, Texas, and Lisa and Stephen O’Toole of Kingston, N.H.; one daughter-in-law, Janet McGillan of Fort Fairfield; one brother and sister-in-law, Philip and Janice Gulliver of Houlton; several stepbrothers and a stepsister; six grandchildren, Shane McGillan, Abigail Roark Wiese and husband Benjamin, Kellyn McGillan, Jared McGillan, Haley O’Toole and Sydney O’Toole; two great-grandchildren, Evelyn and Lucas Wiese; two special sisters-in-law, Mary Dorsey and Grace Burleigh; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews; and dear friends Barbara Jordan, Joanne Slade, Eleanor Knight and Judy Comeau.

In keeping with Joie’s wishes, graveside services will be private for the family. Interment will take place at the family plot in the St. Denis Catholic Cemetery, Fort Fairfield.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 144 Main St., Fort Fairfield. Online condolences may be expressed at http://www.gibersondorseyfuneralhome.com

Those who wish may contribute in memory of Josephine to the

Fort Fairfield Alumni Association,

P.O. Box 201,

Fort Fairfield, ME 04742