October 26, 1930 – October 14, 2023
San Diego CA – October 14, 2023
Van and her sister Mary (our Mom), were born to Francis and Catherine Gillespie, and had 2 older siblings, Kay and Francis and 2 younger siblings Tom and Mike. She was born and raised in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. In the post-Depression era, before TV, Van and Mary loved to listen to baseball on the radio. They enjoyed playing football, baseball, volleyball and horseback riding. At 13, Van and her twin started playing tennis when they rescued two tennis rackets that were being discarded.
After graduating High School, Van’s older sister Kay took her to Philadelphia to get a job at a temp agency. Van was sent to a law office where she quickly learned the job as a legal secretary. When Van was 27 years old, she drove cross country to San Francisco by herself. She didn’t know anyone when she got there, and soon got a job as a legal secretary. She then became a Clerk for the Marin County Board of Supervisors. Van loved the Bay Area and lived in Marin County for 25 years.
She described herself as a tomboy. Van’s love of tennis was an entrée to meeting people in Marin County. Some of her very best friends came from playing tennis.
Van moved to San Diego in the mid-80s’ to help care for her ailing mother who had come to San Diego and become very frail. Van and Mary would play mixed doubles tennis at Morley Field Tennis Club, and afterwards would often be in the clubhouse playing bridge. Mary’s husband, Ed, would often join them playing bridge and other card games. Van and her sister continued to play bridge after they no longer could play tennis.
Van and her sister were participating members of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. She was most often at Saturday evening Mass.
Van is survived by her nieces… Mary Ann, Joan, Jean, Kate, Jill and Joy. Also, by her nephews Tony, Ed, Tom, John, and Francis. She was a great inspiration to all of us. Van was a very kind, optimistic, and loving person with an eternally cheerful good nature.
Van passed away peacefully at the Cormier family home, which she shared with her nephew Ed Cormier.
Van was a supporter of Doctors without Borders and many other charities.
Thank you.
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Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.goodbodymortuary.com for the Gillespie family.
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