Gilmour: Elizabeth, October 26, 1934 – June 4, 2019
Beth Speir was born to Billy and Marguerite Speir, the eighth of their nine children, October 26, 1934, in Eston, Saskatchewan.
Beth married Tom Gilmour June 4, 1956. They lived in the Lacadena area until March 1, 1959, when they moved to the Big Stone, Alberta area where they ranched for 38 years. The home quarter was at SW28-24-8W4. She and Tom had no children but the nieces and nephews spent many summers at the ranch. She especially enjoyed making homemade things for them when they were there.
Beth created her own golf course at the ranch. She took a load of old tires out to the pasture and spotted them amongst the rocks and gopher holes. She had an instant 18 hole golf course with no maintenance fees!
Beth liked to read; as a child, she read children’s stories and later was interested in reading Louis Lamour and Dick Francis novels.
When Tom died Beth moved to Acadia Valley where she resided for 10 years before moving to Oyen and into the Oyen Lodge. She spent 10 years living at the Lodge until she eventually went into Long Term Care at the Big Country Hospital.
She had some very special friends in her life. Art and Francis Klassen’s children made up for the children she never had and fondly called her “Gramma Beth.” Clarence and Fern Dale and Randy were special people in her life as well.
Beth was predeceased by her husband Tom; parents Billy and Marguerite; brothers Jock, Sandy, Bob, Bill, and Jim; and sister Nora Bird.
She is survived by two sisters Patricia Day and Marion Resch; and numerous nieces, nephews and close friends.
Funeral Service was held June 10 at the Oyen United Church in Oyen. Officiating clergies were Rev. Helen Reed and Bonnie Burke. The organist was Helen Reed. Special music was provided by the Oyen Lodge Choir. A tribute was given by Lynn Simon and Pat Klassen.
Pallbearers were Raymond Bird, Ian Bird, Harold Day, Stan Day, Wesley Speir, Bradley Speir, Wayne Resch, and David Resch. Honorary Pallbearers were Fraser Speir, Randy Dale, Paul Klassen, Pat Klassen, and Calvin Day.
Memorial tributes may be directed to the Alberta Heart and Lung Association, #124, 430-6th Ave SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 2S8; Canadian Cancer Society, #102 – 1865 Dunmore Road SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 1Z8; Alzheimer’s Society, 833a Kingsway Ave SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 2X5; or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Following the funeral service, family and friends were invited to a luncheon hosted by the United Church Women in the Oyen Senior’s Centre.
MacLean’s Funeral Home of Oyen in care of arrangements.