2006.12.17: December 17, 2006: Headlines: COS - Czech Republic: Obituaries: Tampa Tribune: Czech Republic RPCV Betty Gillies dies in Ohio

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Czech Republic: January 23, 2005: Index: PCOL Exclusive: Czech Republic : 2006.12.17: December 17, 2006: Headlines: COS - Czech Republic: Obituaries: Tampa Tribune: Czech Republic RPCV Betty Gillies dies in Ohio

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Czech Republic RPCV Betty Gillies dies in Ohio

Czech Republic RPCV Betty Gillies dies in Ohio

After retiring from USF, she volunteered for the Peace Corps at the age of 70 and was posted to Czechoslovakia for two years where she taught Czech teachers of Russian to become teachers of the English language. She returned to the Czech Republic several times as a respected free-lance English language teacher.

Czech Republic RPCV Betty Gillies dies in Ohio

GILLIES, Betty, of Richlands, N.C., and The Villages, Fla., was called home to our Father December 13, 2005, after losing a valiant fight with lung cancer. Born Betty Eileen Sindelar in Parma, Ohio, in 1925, a "depression baby," she was a graduate of Parma Schaff High School.

As part of the homefront of World War II's "greatest generation," she served as the prototypical "Rosie the Riveter," building bombers and fighters at the Cleveland Bomber Plant. After a quarter at Ohio State University, she left college to become a wartime bride and began her family, which would prove to give her pleasure and pride.

After the war and a move to the west coast of Florida, she worked with the then neophyte Tropicana and the travel industry, finally finding her niche in the admissions office of the budding University of South Florida, Tampa, where she remained for the next 25 years.

From 1971 to 1991, she served as the Associate Director of Community College Relations. Working full time, she earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in linguistics.

After retiring from USF, she volunteered for the Peace Corps at the age of 70 and was posted to Czechoslovakia for two years where she taught Czech teachers of Russian to become teachers of the English language. She returned to the Czech Republic several times as a respected free-lance English language teacher.

Returning from the Peace Corps, she moved to The Villages and later to Richlands, N.C., where she quickly became at home. She became a member of Richlands United Methodist Church, an active member of the RUMC Thrift Shop "gang," a member of the Friends of the Library, an enthusiastic member of "The Tail Spinner's Club" and continued as an ardent yoga student.

She is survived by daughters, Sharon Overstreet of Weilerbach, Germany, and Barbara Gillies Kiriazis of Atlanta, Ga.; son, Keith Gillies of Bradenton; brother, Robert Sindelar of Marysville, Wash.; four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; and her longtime mentor, friend, loving companion and soul mate, Frank Spain of Richlands, and his daughters, Marsha Spain Fuller of Richlands and Daphne Spain of Charlottesville, Va.

A memorial service will take place 11 a.m. Saturday, December 17, at Richlands United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Betty's name to the American Lung Association, 3801 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 190, Raleigh, NC 27607, or online at http://www.lungnc.org/. Please include your name, address and phone number.





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Story Source: Tampa Tribune

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Czech Republic; Obituaries

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