Billie was born to Gavin and Alexandra Urquhart and grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She married Ralph Vryenhoek in 1956 and the couple soon began their eastward journey, landing first in Ottawa. In 1963 they moved to Pittsburgh with baby Bruce in tow, and soon had Leslie and Doug. They raised their family in the south hills of Pittsburgh and made so many lifelong friends. After Ralph’s death, she moved to North Carolina in 2012, where she was again blessed with many friends.
Billie loved life, her husband and children, family and friends, animals, parties and all manner of games and puzzles. She was a champion golfer, a bridge Life Master, a wicked Scrabble player, a cheerful gambler, a smart investor and an avid follower of US politics. She sang like an angel—including with the Bob Locklin Singers in the early 70s—and rescued pets galore. In 1986, she became a real estate agent and devoted her energy to helping people find a home.
Memories of Billie will be cherished by her beloved sister Margaret & brother-in-law Ian Norquay; by her children Bruce, Leslie (& Russell Wangersky) and Douglas (& Terri); her grandchildren Caitlin Elkjar (& Clay), Raquel Bracken, and Erinn Wilson (& Gil); great grandchildren Emily, Caroline, Grace, Clare and Brock; nieces, nephews, cousins, and too many dear friends to name.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Second Chance Pet Adoptions, 6003 Chapel Hill Road, Suite 133, Raleigh, NC 27607-5148 (a shelter where she volunteered) or to any animal welfare charity.
Many thanks to the generous Northampton neighbors who made Billie’s last years so rich, to the whole team at Waverly Hematology Oncology and to the caring doctors, nurses and staff at WakeMed Cary Hospital who took good care of our beloved Billie.
A memorial gathering will be held at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 12. In June, a celebration of both Billie and Ralph will be held in Manitoba.
