Obituary of Betty Louise Gillespie

Betty Lou Gillespie

Jan 23, 1930 – Dec 26th, 2020

 

It is with heavy hearts that the Gillespie family announces the passing of our beloved matriarch, Betty Lou Gillespie. We are thankful that she passed peacefully at home among loving family on Dec 26th, 2020, a month shy of her 91st birthday. We share this news with heartfelt sadness over our loss, but also with love, gratitude and pride for the life she lived.

Born in Grand Forks, BC on January 23,1930, Betty lived in Rossland, Trail and White Rock before meeting and marrying the love of her life, Bob Gillespie, and settling in Port Coquitlam. They quickly became part of the community, where they lived happily and raised their family. She nursed him through the later years of his life before his death in 1993. Betty is predeceased by parents Gordon and Hazel McIntyre, brothers Gordon (Daisy), Butch (Sandra) and Ray, and sisters Irene Johnson (Frank), Eileen Keenan (Joe) and Delores Hogg (Hubert). She is dearly missed by surviving sisters Maxine McIntyre (Don) and Kathleen Thune (Dennis).
Betty is also survived by her seven children: Gord (Diane), Garry (Jan), Mel (Deb), Al (Wendy), Todd (Karen), Tracy and Tim (Renee). She was the foundation and inspiration which supports all their families and her many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great, great grandchild.
Betty devoted herself tirelessly to raising her family while also volunteering in community service groups including the Volunteer Fire Department, Ladies Auxiliary and the Royal Purple division of the Elks charity service club.
Betty worked at the Valleyview geriatric care centre, part of the Essondale/Riverview complex, in the food services department.
She was loyal to, and proud, of her large extended family and loved hearing about their many accomplishments. Betty’s cooking and baking skills are legendary and were a highlight of every visit and family gathering. There was always enough food to share and enough places to sit for anyone who walked through her door. She had a quick wit, a great sense of humour and a wonderful laugh.
We have lost our guiding light, but take strength from her memory and the examples of sacrifice, community service, dedication to family and generosity which she exemplified and instilled in all of us.
Current circumstances preclude a celebration of life ceremony at this time, but we hope to have a memorial gathering in the future once it is safe to do so.
In lieu of flowers the family encourages a donation to the charity of your choice and that you cherish and appreciate the members of your own families.