Mrs. Beth Gillespie

When did you meet Thelma?	1973
In what capacity did you know Thelma?	Student, collegue and friend
Where are you now?	University of the Fraser Valley., Associate Professor, Department of Biology, Chilliwack B.C.
Wishes:	Dear Thelma:  I have a stream of memories connected to you.  Insect Biology (317) was a wonderful course.  Loved the material and the teaching style.  I have patterned some of my teaching from inspiration from you.  I try to be comprehensive, fair, not skimpy on content and concerned about my students.  I remember being gently scolded by you for writing a MT when I was ill.  I have always tried to be the true academic you said I was.   As a graduate student I remember gatherings at your home in Coquitlam,  stirring split pea soup for Brian Dillistone and being asked to pour tea for you.  Students were able to experience culture and how to mix in an academic but social group.  Somewhere in there I learned the importance of the reference list and attention to the details in writing. I was a Laboratory Instructor at SFU from 1979 to 1981 and had the privilege of working  for you and with you in the open lab audio-tutorial format that SFU had at that time.  I can remember us spending time in the little room on the 9000 level recording the tapes.  You did not like doing them but we still had fun.  Hard to believe that was over thirty years ago. We have visited over the years and you graciously made our son welcome at SFU.  He remembers ?dates? for lunch and picking you up at academic advice with fondness.  Now our daughter Sandy is back at SFU as a post doc and she remembers visits at your apartment and how gracious you were. Love Beth Gillespie (nee Leary)