Posted on: Sawyer Obituaries Reply Here: http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/gc/FamilyAssoc/SawyerObits/10018 Surname: CAIRNS, HALL, McGILTON, OSGOOD, QUIMBY, SAWYER, TAYLOR ------------------------- Mrs. Gertrude McGilton of Sawyerville,Quebec On May 29, 1982, Sawyerville lost one of its oldest citizens when Gertrude May McGilton passed away at the Second Mile Senior Centre, a residence for the elderly in Sawyerville. Born in Eaton on October 30, 1883, the daughter of Jerome Sawyer and Margaret S. Cairns, she would have had her 99th birthday within five months of her passing. Gertrude or Gertie as she was affectionatley called, was a great-granddaughter of the founder of Sawyerville Capt. Josiah Sawyer and the last of that name in this area . Her grandfather was Peter Green Sawyer, eldest son of the Captain and her grandmother was Mary Hall. Her mother's people, the Cairns, were directly from Ireland, being of Ulster Scotch extraction. She was married at the age of 23 years to Benjamin H. Quimby on Dec. 28, 1904 at Boston, Mass. She spent many years in the Cambridge ,Mass area.After her husband's death she returned to Eaton Corner and cared for Miss Katie Alger, a cousin, who left her home to her when she passed away. It seemed to be Gertie's lot to care for others. She had nursed a lady in Cambridge and Anna Waldron in Eaton. On July 12, 1943, she married Wm. Charles McGilton and they lived in Eaton Corner. Some time after his death she moved to Sawyerville spending her remaining years here entering the Second Mile Senior Centre in 1977. Gertie had a quick wit and always an answer for everyone. She told stories of her childhood in Sawyerville. Her father was herdsman for William Sawyer M.L.A. and they lived next door in the old house which had belonged to Capt.Josiah Sawyer. Gertie's mother had died when she was only three years old and William's wife Julia Smith Sawyer taught her how to be a lady as she put it. Julia had no children of her own and enjoyed Gertie's company and also taught her many Bible verses and how to sew and cook.Being sort of an imp, she would play in the church next door with her friends and she would always be the minister. They would ring the church bell but no one ever complained because of her being a protege of William and Julia Sawyer. This was in the old Methodist Church before the present United Church was built. Her father married Maria Osgood and Gertie went to Clifton to live with her sister Elva, Mrs Robert Taylor, for a few years. Her funeral service was held in the Sawyerville United Church on June 1st, with prayers at the L.O. Cass and Son Funeral Home. The bearers were Douglas and Lawrence Mackay, Fred Robinson,Lionel Hurd, Rene Bedard and Crescent Bain. Attending the funeral from out of town were Mrs. Leonard McGilton, Pointe Claire, Mr. and Mrs. Thayne McGilton,Beaconsfield, and Mr. and Mrs. Reginald Leavens,Derby, VT. The staff from the Centre and a close friend Mrs Raymond Coates were asked to join the mourners. Interment was in Eaton Cemetery. Donations to the Senior Centre in her memory were gratefully received. [Gertrude donated the soup tureen and pitcher at the Eaton Quebec Museum that belonged to Josiah Sawyer father of Peter Green Sawyer]