Elizabeth "Beth" Almeda Newsome

1923 ~ 2016

Newsome, Elizabeth “Beth” Almeda Newsome passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 1, 2016 at the age of 93 years. She was predeceased by her parents, Robert and Clara Gillis; husband, Leonard Newsome; infant sister, Pearl; brother, Kenneth Gillis; sister, Jean Steinke; grandson, Dale Jason Newsome and two great grandsons, Brett Michael Newsome-Todd and Sheldon William Newsome. Beth was born just outside of Tribune SK March 11, 1923 to Robert and Clara Gillis. Shortly after her birth they moved to Weyburn. Growing up and going to school in Weyburn she enjoyed the companionship of her older brother Ken and three younger sisters Bertha, Thelma and Jean as well as many friends and relatives. Beth especially enjoyed the winter so she could be out skating with everyone on the river. Other seasons they would trade in their skates for shoes and continue to dance. When she was young Girl Guides first came to be but to get their uniforms they had to sell cookies door to door. Beth being Beth really wanted that uniform so she kept her younger sister Bertha out till midnight selling cookies. With the money raised it bought the material so that her mother Clara could sew the uniforms for the Girl Guides. The first job Beth had was at Fletcher’s Beauty and Dress Shop. It was on one of those evening when leaving work late she met her husband waiting in the line for the movies. He was in the British Airforce and stationed out at the airport. They dated and got engaged on a trip to Sarnia ON. They were married at Haig School in Weyburn on December 30, 1943 shortly before Len shipped out. Beth and their first child Beryl stayed with her parents for the 4 years while he was overseas. Beth continued to work but switched jobs to Woolworths starting in the notions department and then later moving to the sewing department loving every minute of it. In the years that followed Beth Len and Beryl moved to Prince Albert for 2 years where second daughter Shirley was born. The family returned to Weyburn where they had 3 more children Lorne, Patricia, and Leonard. She remained in Weyburn for the rest of her life. Beth sewed a lot of the clothes for her growing family. She loved to make costumes especially for the Ice Carnival each year. We really feel that perhaps it was the hot dog and onions that she would enjoy at the Ice Carnival that made those costumes even more special then the Halloween or Fair Parade ones. Just as her mother had done in the past for Girl Guides Beth took on the task of sewing the capes for the Marching Band. She had continued to enjoy music and dancing throughout her adult life and to watch her and Len dance was like watching two people glide fluidly around the dance floor. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary for the Knox Presbyterian Church, Legion Ladies Auxiliary and the Elks Royal Purple enjoying any and all of the time spent with each one. Some of Beth’s other interests where floral arranging, making decorations, flower arrangement and centerpieces for weddings, ceramics, sewing, knitting, crocheting , hand crafts of any kind and after turning 82 making greeting cards on the computer. Throughout her life she had taken memorable trips to England twice, a trip to the Black Hills, and a trip to Prince Edward Island where her father’s extended family was from. Beth thoroughly enjoyed Sundays when she would cook up a big meal and have most of the family come home for them until later years when the family would do the cooking and bring it into her home to enjoy all together. Beth lived through some hard times but could always light up a room with her beautiful smile. Thank you to the Doctors, the staff of the Weyburn Special Care Home, Weyburn General Hospital and Regina General Hospital for the excellent care you have given to Beth. The family would also like to thank family and friends for their thoughts, prayers and messages in our time of sorrow. Beth will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Beryl (Ted) Olson of Prince Albert, SK; daughter, Shirley (Mervin) Kohlsmith of Regina, SK; son, Lorne (Edna) Newsome of Regina, SK; daughter, Pat Kaytor of Weyburn, SK; son, Leonard Newsome (Jean Vogelaar) of Garrick, SK; 22 grandchildren and 38 great grandchildren; 1 great great granddaughter and 1 great great grandson on the way; sisters, Bertha McCabe and Thelma Smith as well as numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Visitation was Wednesday, May 4, 2016 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Fletcher funeral Chapel, Weyburn, Saskatchewan. The Funeral Service was Thursday, May 5, 2016 at 2:00 pm from Knox Presbyterian Church, Weyburn. Interment at Green Acres Memorial Gardens, Weyburn, Saskatchewan. Pallbearers were Brian Olson, Michelle Leggott, Natasha Thomas, Jason Kaytor, Crystal Kaytor and Donovan Newsome. Donations in memory of Beth may be made to the Knox Presbyterian Church or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Condolences may be left at:

www.fletcherfuneralchapel.com

Arrangements entrusted to

Fletcher Funeral Chapel

Weyburn, Saskatchewan

306-842-5432