Gilberte (Jill) Marie Lanois

February 28, 1930 - October 7, 2020

Our cherished Jill passed away at the age of 90 after a lengthy battle with dementia. She inspired many with her genuine, nurturing warmth, her laughter, her joie de vivre and her extraordinary strength and wisdom. Jill leaves her children Robert (Margot), Daniel, Ronald (deceased in 2003) and Jocelyne. Also, grandson Simon, sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews, and her life companion Nick (deceased 2012). Jill deeply loved her children who all inherited many of her gifts. She allowed them their freedom, but was always at their side whether following their individual musical talents, building recording studios or opening Ron's Big Easy restaurant on Locke Street in Hamilton. Born into the large French Canadian Charette family in 1930 in Gatineau, Quebec, Jill met and married Guay Lanois at an early age. When the marriage ended, she moved to Hamilton, Ontario with her children in 1960. She provided for her family by using great survival skills and working several jobs. Soon after, the family moved to nearby Ancaster where Jill ran a successful hairdressing salon for many years in the downtown area. Some of her artistic abilities were expressed in her watercolours and collages. With her flair for fashion and style, she pursued many ventures including clothing and beauty supply businesses. She never shied away from turning good ideas into practice. Jill met the love of her life, Nick Monti, during those early years. They shared a love for traveling and explored the world, attended social events and enjoyed music, art, film and literature together. They spent many happy hours experimenting with recipes. Sadly, she lost Nick suddenly after 55 years, in 2012, and life became quieter for her after that. At Jill’s home in Dundas, Ontario, she kept a beautiful garden, planting flowers, herbs and fruit trees. There was always an open door and she was welcoming to everyone. She had a real love for good food and could always be found preparing delicious and healthy meals together with loved ones. Family, friends and strangers would gather round her kitchen table and you never knew what would happen or who might appear. Jill was a trailblazer of style and grace, a legendary beauty, a courageous entrepreneur, a beguiling, bon vivant world traveller and a passionate lifelong champion of her children’s creativity. She leaves behind a magical legacy of family, art and innovation. A heartfelt thank you to the wonderful friends who lovingly cared for Jill in her final years and to the staff at Wentworth Lodge in Dundas, whose patience and compassion were exceptional during these difficult times. Cremation has taken place and the family plans a memorial gathering at a future date. No flowers or cards please. If you wish to do so, a donation in Jill's name to a charity of your choice is something she would have appreciated. Please view the extended obituary and share your memories and photos of Jill at circleoflifecbc.com/obituaries