Obituary of Vesta Illsley

ILLSLEY (Burgess), Vesta Angelina - 94, Berwick, Kings Co., passed away on Friday, December 16, 2011, in the Halifax Infirmary, QE II as the result of an accident at her apartment. Born in Lakeville, Vesta was a daughter of the late Scott and Ethel (Rockwell) Burgess. She is survived by her husband of 71 years, Clyde Avery Illsley, Berwick; as well as her son, Garth Clyde, (Gloria) of Kentville ; daughter, Joyce Ann (Wayne) Amirault of Woodville, Kings Co.; grandchildren, Amy Amirault, Halifax; Tanya Newell (Chris), Bedford; Rebecca Gonzales (Joe), Kennesaw, Georgia; Scott Illsley (Allison), Cambridge, Ont.; six great-grandchildren; as well as well several nieces and nephews. Vesta was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by an infant son; brothers, Rhuland and Rufus; sisters, Madge Proudfoot, Beryl Smith, Devilla - Billy쳌 Riawetz, and Harriett Savage. After being educated at the one room school in Lakeville, Vesta went to work in Boston for a short period of time. Returning to Nova Scotia she met and married Clyde in 1940. Family was very important to her and she loved all children unequivocally. Vesta was a member of the Berwick Baptist Church and took a very active part in her church, serving as a Sunday School Teacher and Superintendent of the Junior Sunday School for a number of years. She also sang in the church choir. Vesta was a charter member of the MacPherson Auxilliary, and served as President on three different occasions. She also served on the float committee for Berwick in the Apple Blossom Festival for many years in the 1950?¢s and 60?¢s. Vesta was a charter member of Laurel Chapter # 67, Order of the Eastern Star, Berwick, where she had served as the second Worthy Matron and served in a number of other offices over the years. When her family had grown up, Vesta worked at the Berwick Post Office for 10 years. She enjoyed having company and visitors and always had the teapot at the ready when people dropped in. Vesta?¢s cooking was superb with her Christmas dinner being extraordinary. Her cheery personality and her welcoming approach to everyone in her life will be sadly missed by her family and all of her friends. Visitation for Vesta will take place from 2-5 p.m., Monday, in the Grand View Manor Assembly Room, 110 Commercial St., Berwick. Funeral service will take place 2 p.m., Tuesday, December 20, in the Berwick Baptist Church, 265 Commercial St., Berwick. Rev. Marilyn Rose officiating, with burial in the Berwick Cemetery. Family flowers only, donations in her memory may be made to the Berwick Baptist Church. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Serenity Lindsay Funeral Home, 192 Commercial St., Berwick, N.S., B0P 1E0, (902-538-9900). Condolences may be sent to the family at the funeral home address or on-line by visiting: www.serenitylindsayfuneralhome.ca