October 29, 1920 to April 15, 2023
After 102 years of living a full, wonderful, and exemplary life, Ethel Gillingham passed away in her sleep. Ethel was born to Stanley and Rebecca Collier in Vancouver where she formed many friendships throughout her life and made commitments to her churches. She met the love of her life Reg in the Salvation Army church and they were married during war time in 1943. Most of her married life was in West Vancouver where she was very active in the community.
Mum loved to write and she wrote a column in the North Shore News called the “Church Lady” as well as having many other published articles in popular magazines. She was also the editor of “The Log” at her church. She loved to garden and she was a caring and outstanding mother, homemaker, crafter, hostess and Sunday School teacher, and friend to all. One of her special places was her cottage on Keats Island in Howe Sound.
Ethel was predeceased by her brother Stanley Collier. Left to celebrate her life are her brother Greg, children Bryan (Susanna), Robert, Susan (John), and Keith (Lisa), grandchildren Greg (Stephanie), Sara (Riley), Michael, Andrew, Gwendolyn (Bethany), Miranda (Julian), Rebecca (Cam) and Jeremy, and her great grandchildren Kiera, Caskey, Ivy, Isla and Ana Lucia and nieces , nephews and many friends.
A Memorial Service will be held at West Vancouver United Church, 2062 Esquimalt Ave, West Vancouver on Friday April 28, 2023 at 1:00 pm with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers please donate to Covenant House, the Arthritis Society or a Charity of your choice.
We will continue to cherish our fond memories of her and the example which Mom set.
