BILLIE ALLYN (INNES) COTTREAU

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BILLIE ALLYN (INNES) COTTREAU Peacefully, and after a prolonged battle with Alzheimer's disease, Billie passed away at the Windsor Elms Village in Windsor, Nova Scotia on the 26th of October 2008. Billie was born in Winnipeg in 1930, the daughter of Frank Sutter Innes and Lillian (Culbert) Innes. From her early years, Billie is remembered for being extremely sociable and energetic. Her competitive nature followed her to Toronto where she worked for BA Oil and subsequently Gulf Oil Canada where she held responsible positions in the finance department. She will be fondly remembered by her many friends and associates as an active participant in activities and sports, notably skiing, softball, golfing and bridge. In 1965 she met Joe Cottreau, who also worked at Gulf Oil Canada. They were married in 1967 and transferred to Montreal that same year, where they lived until 1979 when Joe was transferred back to Toronto. While in Montreal they were active in the 1967 World Expo and the 1976 Olympics. Their transfer to Toronto lasted four years when Joe accepted a position in Winnipeg where Billie was able to reacquaint herself with old friends and relatives. In 1995, Joe accepted a position with the Nova Scotia government and they moved to Halifax. Billie is survived by her loving husband Joe and her beloved son Robert. She is also survived by her nieces, Laura Klager and Megan Alexander, as well as her brother-in-law Gordon Alexander. She was predeceased by her parents and by her sister Patsy Kaye Alexander. She will also be sadly missed by her loyal dog Maggie. Billie would have been proud to know that Robert and his fiancée Sandi Cechvala are engaged to be married in the summer of 2009. She will be sadly missed by the Cechvala family and Sandi's daughter Amber but will be there in spirit. The family is most grateful for the many friends, as well as the staff at the Windsor Elms who assisted lovingly in the final years. Funeral services were held in Dartmouth, NS. A memorial service will be held in Winnipeg in Spring 2009. Date to be announced.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 18, 2008