Beatrice Maud Gillies Obituary (1930 - 2007)

“Nana” Beatrice Maud Gillies, 77 years of age, passed away peacefully on December 16, 2007. Beatrice was born in Stratford, New Zealand, to Lesa Mary Mounsey and Arthur John Travers Webb, “Peter,” on January 30, 1930. She grew up in Purangi, N.Z., with her brother Frank (Meryl) and sister, Pat (Ron). In her youth, she was an avid tennis player receiving numerous honors, including participating in the Margaret Cup in 1944 and winning the Senior Championships in 1945 and 1946 at St. Mary’s Diocesan School in Stratford. Upon graduation, Bea was appointed the Sole Teacher at Pukeho School in 1947. She taught until its closure in 1948. Bea married Angus “Gordon” Gillies in 1955. She became an entrepreneur in 1960, opening a wool store in Lake Taupo, N.Z., which she successfully owned and operated until she and Gordon moved to Australia in 1965, where they owned and operated a profitable real estate and property management company. She also successfully tried her hand in the arts and made pictures using bark from Melaleuca trees for forest and farm scenes that are truly amazing. In 1979, Bea, Gordon, and their daughter, Yvonne moved to Riverside, California, where they settled into property management, then moved to Seattle, WA, prior to moving back to California a few years later. In 2001, Bea moved to Taylorsville, Utah and remained there enjoying her granddaughter, dogs, knitting, embroidery, and traveling to National Parks throughout the Intermountain West. In 1999, she began dialysis due to kidney failure. Never complaining, she accepted each treatment as a gift for continuing a high-quality life. Friends and family of Bea wish to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and technicians who cared for her the last eight years, helping to maintain her quality of life, especially at the Utah Dialysis Center and Intermountain Medical Center. Bea is survived by her daughters Karen (Jeff) and Yvonne (Ken), her grandchildren Ned, Scarlet, Billy, and Madelyn, and her brother Frank. Throughout her life, Bea excelled at many roles including wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, entrepreneur, residential management, friend, and confidant. She will be truly missed. A Memorial Service will be held at noon on December 21, 2007, at St. James’ Episcopal Church, 7486 S. Union Parkway, Midvale, UT 84047. Donations may be sent care of the National Kidney Association, NKF of Utah & Idaho, Inc., 3707 N Canyon Rd, Ste 1D, Edgemont Prof. Plaza, Provo, UT 84604-4585.