Alice McNitt Gillis

Alice McNitt Gillis, of Port Charlotte, FL went home to be with the Lord on September 14, 2024.  She was born March 2, 1934, in Norwich, NY in the McNitt family farmhouse as was her Dad, Lynn McNitt Sr. who predeceased her as did her Mom, Aurelia, and brother, Lynn Jr.  She was reborn in 1976 as she made Jesus her Savior and Lord.  She attended Rochester Bible College while ministering on the phones at CBN (Christian Broadcasting Network).

Formerly Alice worked at SCM, a typewriter manufacturing plant, in Cortland, NY where she worked as Personnel Secretary, and later as Plant Manager's Secretary in three of their local assembly plants for an accumulation of ten years.

In 1981, she felt called to start a local Women's Aglow Chapter, which is an international and non-denominational network of caring Christian women.  Their mission is to lead women to Jesus Christ and provide opportunities for them to grow in their faith and minister to others.  Home Bible studies and prayer groups work together with local churches developing their God-given gifts for the benefit of all.

Marrying her husband Clifford Gillis on February 14, 1981 started a new ministry as they took in Alice's Father at age 88, and then took two girls Jamie, age 6, and Nicky, age 7, through foster care.

Cliff acted as President of the local Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship Int'l, and later served as Field Rep for them. He was on the staff for the Men's and Couple's Advance held at Lake George, NY annually.  After moving to FL in 1995 with her husband, their newly adopted girls and Alice's Dad, they both continued to serve the Lord in these same ministries in FL, as well as at Faithlife Church here in Port Charlotte.

Cliff predeceased her on May 11, 2014, after a long battle with cancer and ALZ.

Alice is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Lee Gitz, of PA (Ralph); a son, Richard E. Brown Sr. (Valerie) of Ohio; two adopted daughters, Nichole Gillis of FL; Jamie Wilcox (Lester) of PA; six grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Faithlife Church, 21090 Illiade Ave., Port Charlotte, FL 33952.

Burial will be at the family cemetery, Mt Hope, in Norwich, NY.

Arrangements by Life Celebration Center of Punta Gorda.