Mabel Darlene Gillespie

Mabel Darlene Bevier was born April 7, 1938 to Irvin and Marjorie Bevier in Omak, Washington. She attended and graduated from Okanogan High School in 1956. She married her high school sweetheart, David Lee Gillespie, August 19, 1957. They had two daughters Toni and Tamara. After their wedding they went to work for David’s uncle and aunt, Cassell and Janice Forrester, on their cattle ranch. They worked for Cassell and Janice for about four years before moving to Lazy River Orchard and working for David’s father, Loris Gillespie. Loris eventually retired and sold the Orchard to David and Darlene. They took over the orchard and made improvements on the apple orchard and planted two more orchards by Malott and Tonasket. They owned and operated these orchards from the early 1960’s to early 1990’s. Darlene was David’s righthand woman. She was the Orchard’s bookkeeper/secretary, tractor driver, hostess, wife, mother and cheerleader for their two girls. David and Darlene loved to travel and went on agricultural tours to Australia, New Zealand and China. They also spent several vacations in Hawaii and Mexico. They sold out the apple orchard in 1991 and semi-retired to the Seattle Area, where David hauled horses across the country and Darlene went to work as a bookkeeper for Bellevue BMW. At this time Darlene was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. She was missing her family and the beautiful Okanogan Valley, so they moved back to Okanogan. David got a job driving truck for Systems Transportation so they could be closer to home. Darlene was an Eastern Star Member and belonged to the Okanogan Valley Cattlewomen’s Association and truly enjoyed spending time with these ladies. Darlene was a wonderful hostess and really enjoyed planning and putting together parties. The Graduating Classes of 1956 and 1957 had some wonderful class reunions at David and Darlene’s home. Darlene also put together some memorable Christmas Eve parties. Darlene was proceeded in death by her husband David, grandson Shawn Gillespie, daughter Tamara, her father and mother Irvin and Marjorie Bevier and brother Ronald Bevier. Darlene is survived by her sisters Roberta Maas, Bonita Ballinger, brothers Donald Bevier, Roger(Judy) Bevier and daughter Toni Symonds. Grandchildren Hamley (Shorty) Symonds, Billie Jo (Zande) Waddington, John(Elizabeth) Symonds, Marissa (Alex) Dreyer, Kyle McWeeney. Great Grand Children Reata and Teresa Waddington, Charles Gillespie and Hayden Anderson Wood and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces. To many to mention them all without forgetting someone. Darlene will be missed by many people that loved her. We all would like to express our deepest appreciation for the care and love she received from the nurses and staff at Regency Omak and her Doctors that took wonderful care of our mother, sister, and grandmother. You all are truly amazing Caregivers.

Mabel Darlene Gillespie

April 7, 1938 - December 22, 2022