BELLIS, EDNA MABEL JEAN - 1926-2011 - Mrs. Edna Mabel Jean Bellis, Abbotsford, BC formerly of Moncton, N. B. and Woodstock, NB died June 8, 2011 at the Abbotsford Hospital. Born June 24, 1926 at Kenogami, Quebec. Daughter of the late Stephen and Mabel (Read) Vatcher. When she was a young woman she was diagnosed with pleurisy, and living in a town with a large aluminum plant was not good for her. When Edna’a mother Mabel lived in England, she was in the land army in the First World War and worked on a farm in Wales. She knew that the family from Wales immigrated to Canada also, and lived on a farm in New Brunswick, so she sent Edna to stay with them to see if her health would improve in the country air. While at the Bellis farm, Edna met their son Robert, fell in love, married, started a family, cared for her father and mother in law until they passed away, and helped work the farm. When Robert became to ill to work the farm they moved to Woodstock where Edna took a secretarial course at the vocational school. With that course she was able to obtain a job at the town’s assessment office to help support the family as her husband’s health continued to decline. Her husband, Robert Stuart Bellis died on January 10th 1967. She was encouraged to take a course to become a tax assessor and graduated as one of only two females in the field at that time. She began her career in Moncton in 1969, working as the only female assessor in the office. She battled prejudice in the office, in the field, and in the court room, but gained the respect of her peers during her successful career. After she retired, she moved to British Columbia and lived with her daughter and son-in-law. They traveled extensively, creating many wonderful memories. Her health began to limit her travels but she enjoyed time with her grandchildren and hearing about all their adventures. In May of 2011 she became very ill and was diagnosed with cancer. She passed away June 8, 2011, just shy of her 85th birthday. All her “kids” by blood or by love can truly say they were well loved and will all dearly miss this great lady. She is survived by three daughters, Wendy Gauvin (Robert) of Moncton, NB; Ellen Clark (Delmar) of Abbotsford, BC, Susan Lariviere of Woodstock, NB and one son Stephen Bellis (Pauline) of Yellowknife. Sisters, Gladys Evan, Clara Lorrain, Alice Ziesa and brother John Vatcher. Seventeen grandchildren and twenty-seven great grandchildren. Predeceased by her sister Ellen Seth and brothers Stephen, Robert, Richard Vatcher.
A memorial service will be held at The Culberson Memorial Chapel on Saturday, August 27, 2011 at 1:00 pm. If so desired, donations to the Canadian Cancer or the Diabetes Association would be appreciated by the family. Interment to follow at the Bloomfield Cemetery, Bloomfield, NB. Arrangements with The Culberson Funeral Home, 188 Connell Street, Woodstock, NB E7M 1L8
(1-506-325-1130) www.culbersonfuneralhome.com