Theresa Wilhelmina (Jackson) Pelley

Surrounded by family and loved ones, Theresa Wilhelmina Pelley, affectionately known as “Billie”, passed away peacefully, following a brief illness on April 10, 2025, at the age of 85 years. Born in North Sydney, Billie was the daughter of the late Ralph and Edna Jackson, of North Sydney. After a short courtship, Billie married the love of her life, and husband of 64 years, Walter Pelley. They settled in Sydney and later North Sydney.

Billie graduated as an X-Ray Technologist in 1959 from Sydney City Hospital. She then worked at City Hospital and later Northside General and Harbor View Hospitals. Co-workers saw her as energetic, sensitive, kind and compassionate, with a witty sense of humour who enjoyed a good laugh.  At her retirement dinner in 1998, after a 40-year career, one of the things she was remembered for was her strength – “she tightened locks so tight, no one else could loosen them."

Billie loved being outdoors and embraced every season. In the winter she took every opportunity to go skating, with long-bladed racers, and especially loved any outdoor rink. In the summer she loved the beach and would often have her kids waiting on the front step to be scooped up after work to go to Groves Point or Florence Beach. She loved camping and everything that went along with it, cooking outdoors, campfires and telling stories.

She loved tea, and late-night conversations at the kitchen table with her kids and whatever friends were around. She was a voracious reader and always had a book or two on the go. She was an accomplished painter who enjoyed stills and landscapes on oil and canvas, but always appreciated great work in watercolour.

She loved travel and music which led to some amazing road trips with the best mixtapes around. The trifecta was her love of bagpipes, tunes and travel with the Gaelic College Pipe Band.

She was active in her church throughout her life with duties including Cub Master (Boy Scouts), Mothers’ Union, and Choir.

She had an infectious smile and wonderfully kind nature that was welcoming to one and all.

Billie will be lovingly remembered by her husband Walter, children, Bob (Melodie MacNeil), James (Kelly Anne), and Christine (Gavin MacDonald). She will be sorely missed by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, grandsons Sam, Macklin, and Boyd Pelley; grandson Adam Pelley (Emily Miller) and great-granddaughter Eleanor; granddaughter Emily Pelley (Rebecca) and great-granddaughter Charli; granddaughter Catherine Targett (Steve) and great-grandsons Max and Owen; and grandsons Calum and Niall MacDonald. She will be cherished by her sisters Rhonda Black and Kathy MacIntosh and brother Sandy Jackson (Anne) and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Billie is preceded in death by her sister Shirley MacLeod and brothers-in-law Hugh MacLeod, Bill Black, and Ian MacIntosh.

A funeral service will take place on May 9 at 2:00pm at St. John the Baptist Anglican Church in North Sydney with burial at Lake Side Cemetery, followed by a celebration of her wonderful life in the church hall. Donations in her memory can be made to the North Sydney Food Bank, Canadian Cancer Society or the Mother's Union of St. John the Baptist Anglican Church. 

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