Obituary of Beth Tellaeche
Tellaeche, Beth (Begona)
Our beloved Beth left us peacefully on March 20th in her 94th year. Born in Bermeo, Vizcaya, Spain, on Dec. 30, 1927 to Jesus Tellaeche and Julia Goicoechea, the youngest of four, (Jose, Maite and Amaya). Cherished by her dear cousin, Teresa Azccoitia and many nieces and nephews and their families in Spain. Deeply grateful for sharing the journey with her in Canada are ISM members, Aurelia Hernandez, Ruth Beitia, Lois Cote and Paula Marcotte, and Natalie Monforte now in Spain. Deeply missed by her second family, Beth and Dana Porter (deceased 2016) and their children and grandchildren.
In her twenties, Beth, then a surgical nurse, set out for Vittoria, Spain to join a group of women dedicating their lives to running retreat houses serving the spiritual and human development of lay men and especially women during the tumultuous times following the civil war. Membership in the group grew quickly then branched out to a variety of works in various countries, eventually becoming recognized as a Secular Institute within the Catholic Church. In 1961, Beth and others were sent to the Diocese of London in Canada at the invitation of Bishop Cody.
Beth's trajectory included receptionist at the Diocesan Chancery Office, nursing in nursing homes, and working at the Cross Cultural Learner Centre. There she worked tirelessly developing with others the programs that linked the Vietnamese "Boat People" to community groups and became prototypes for other cities and the groundwork for settlement programs today. Welcoming newcomers and connecting them to people and to services was a work she loved and excelled in.
Beth was active for years in social justice groups at parish and diocesan levels and also in inter-faith coalitions. In the 1970s she and others initiated the London Coalition for Human Rights in Latin America. She and Beth Porter helped to initiate a Coffee House for street people at St. Peter's Cathedral parish and after her retirement from the CCLC in 1993 they staffed The Bethany Centre for a decade, offering friendship, and resources to women and families in need.
Visitors are welcome to John T. Donohue Funeral Home, 362 Waterloo Street, on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 from 2 to 4 o’clock (full) and 4:15 to 5 o'clock. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Peter’s Cathedral Basilica, 196 Dufferin Avenue, on Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 10 o’clock with visitation one hour prior. Interment to follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a limited number of people are able to attend visitation and the Funeral Mass.
Please e-mail donohue@donohuefuneralhome.ca with your first/last name and telephone number to register.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Save-a- Family- Plan or to Doctors Without Borders or your favourite charity would be appreciated.
Please note the 2-4 visitation is full. Visitation from 4:15 -5 o'clock is available.
