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Edith “Sylvia” Gillespie Obituary
(Edith) Sylvia Gillespie née Francis passed away in Victoria BC on October 5, 2024, at the age of 95 with her family at her side, brushing her beautiful hair. Sylvia was born in Wrexham, Wales on September 20, 1929. She grew up in Rhyl during the war years and left home at a young age to pursue nursing and midwifery certifications at University College Hospital in London, where the focus of care at that time was battling the polio epidemic. There she met lifelong friend Pat Barr and together they embarked on a life-changing adventure – travelling first to Montreal where she worked at the Montreal Neurological Institute. Sylvia took great pride in being a part of the organization where world-renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Wilder Penfield performed ground-breaking research. Sylvia and Pat planned to travel from Montreal across Canada, but as fate would have it, they paused their journey in Lacombe, Alberta to replenish their travel funds, taking jobs at the Lacombe Hospital. There she met handsome young Kinsman Dick Gillespie, and it was love at first sight. The couple were married in Lacombe on October 1, 1960, and went on to build a home and raise their family in Lacombe.
She continued to be deeply involved in healthcare; as a nurse in Lacombe, Bentley, Ponoka and Red Deer; the first female board member of the Lacombe Healthcare Centre; Central Alberta representative on the Alberta Hospitals’ Association Board of Directors; and board member of the David Thompson Regional Health Authority. She also contributed her vast healthcare knowledge and experience to the Midwifery Governing body and as Chair of the initiative which developed the professional standards allowing midwives to practice independently in Alberta. She was perhaps most proud of her role as Chair of the committee overseeing planning and construction of the Lacombe Community Health Centre.
Although family always came first, Sylvia was committed to her community in a wide range of leadership roles. She had a lifelong love of music, teaching piano and music theory for 30 years and was the founder of the Lacombe and District Music Festival. Her passion for reading lent itself well to her involvement as member and later president of the Friends of the Lacombe Public Library and organizer of the “History Lecture Series”, which won a provincial government award for innovation in public library service. She was a pioneer in blogging, contributing “Reflections” – a widely read and much-appreciated weekly column in the Lacombe Globe. Sylvia was a contributor to the book “Lacombe: County, City, Community”, authoring the “Health Care” chapter, and was the founder of the Lacombe Reading and Discussion Group.
Additionally, she found time to serve as president of Ringette Alberta and member of the Alberta Senior Games Organizing Committee.
Her outstanding contributions to her community were recognized in the form of numerous awards, including Lacombe Lions Club Citizen of the Year, Governor General’s Commemorative Medal, Rotary Club International Paul Harris Fellow 75th Anniversary Award, Lacombe Council for Economic Development Ambassador Status, Lacombe Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Despite these innumerable accomplishments, Sylvia will be most fondly remembered by her family for her role as a loving mother.
Sylvia was predeceased by her sister Sonia Francis and her husband and love of her life James Richard (Dick). She is survived by her lifelong friend Pat, loving daughters Anne (Cathy Over) and granddaughter Lauren; Janet Hardy (Paul) and grandchildren Clarke and Hilary; and Lynn (Rocco Salera) and grandsons Christopher and Robert (Erica) and great granddaughter Olivia.
At Sylvia’s request, no funeral is planned. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mary C. Moore Public Library at www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/33543.
Condolences and fond memories can be shared by visiting www.wilsonsfuneralchapel.ca or www.sandscolwood.ca.
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September 20 1929 October 5 2024 95 Years Old
Death notice for the town of: Lacombe, Province: Alberta
death notice Edith Sylvia Francis Gillespie September 20 1929 October 5 2024 95 Years Old
obituaries notice Edith Sylvia Francis Gillespie September 20 1929 October 5 2024 95 Years Old
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Edith Sylvia Francis Gillespie September 20 1929 October 5 2024 95 Years Old and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
