Sopena (Syphela)’s Obituary
SOPENA RUTH MEEKIS (SYPHELA RUTH BEARDY), age 69 years, passed away on Thursday December 26, 2019 at the Regional Health Sciences Centre in Thunder Bay Ontario following a short intense battle with cancer. Sopena was born February 22, 1950 near the First Nation community of Bearskin Lake, Ontario on their traditional family hunting area. She was the 7th of 11 children born to Phillip and Anna Sarah Beardy. Sopena was married to the late Cello Gilroy for over 37 years. They raised their family in the communities of Deer Lake First Nation, Stormer Lake, and Red Lake Ontario. Sopena will be greatly missed by her three sons, Collin Gilroy (Carleen); Clarence Cello (Karyn), and Carlton James; and also by her grandchildren Angelica and sister Alyssia; Amber; Clarence Indio, David Skye, and Rayne Grace; David and great granddaughter Sawyer (Angelica). She is survived by two brothers Tom and Morley, and four sisters Tillie, Margaret, Lucy and Sarah. She was predeceased by her husband Cello, her father Phillip and mother Anna Sarah; three brothers Matthew, Caleb and Jake and one sister who passed at birth.
A memorial service was held in Thunder Bay Ontario on December 28 at New Hope Fellowship Church.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, Januay 3rd at 11 am at the Red Lake Royal Canadian Legion with Kevin Miller officiating.
Interment will follow in the Red Lake Cemetery
Visitation will take place Thursday Jan. 2 from 7 to 9 pm at the Forestry Fellowship Centre.
The Meekis and Beardy family would like to express great thanks and appreciation to the doctors and staff of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, with special recognition to the staff of the Oncology Ward for providing great care for Sopena during her hospital stays. Many thanks to family and friends near and far who provided so much support to Sopena and for the family during her illness.
Should friends so desire, memorial donations can be made to the Memory in Miles Foundation through Red Lake Funeral Chapel Ltd., Box 237, Red Lake, ON P0V 2M0. The Memory in Miles fund supports local families with members fighting cancer with referrals by local friends and family.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Sopena Syphela Ruth Meekis February 22 1950 December 26 2019..
Red Lake Funeral Chapel Limited
Death notice for the town of: Red Lake, Province: Ontario