Billie Jean Gergis

With hearts full of sweet memories and so much love we announce the passing of our dear Billie Jean Gergis. She has left an unforgettable mark of kindness and love on everyone who had the privilege of knowing her and her sparkling personality.
Billie Jean was a devoted wife to Peter Gergis and a loving mother to Mark, Erik, Jeanne, Kristie, and Peter. She was also a cherished grandmother to Hannah and Sarah Nisr, and a much-loved mother-in-law to Ayesha Keshani Gergis and Sadek Nisr.
She was born Billie Jean Read, named after two of her dear aunts, also known to many as just "Jean". She was born in Riverside, California in 1941 to Walter and Marion Read. She and her older brother Jim grew up on military bases during World War II as her father was a Lieutenant Colonel in the army. They eventually settled down in Walnut Creek, CA in the Bay Area where her parents had lived previously. She went to Acalanes High School and then graduated from San Jose State University and taught elementary school for several years in the 1960's in Northern and Southern California.
In 1964 she took a life-changing trip to Europe where she met the love of her life, Peter Gergis, in Berlin and they were married in London that same year. They settled in California where they enjoyed city life, romantic dinners, music, entertaining friends and eventually starting their family.
She loved sports like tennis and track and was on a bowling league for a number of years.
In 1976 she joined the Seventh Day Adventist church where she served in many ways including Prison Ministry and prayer teams and was eventually ordained as a deacon.
She came from a family of female artists and she was a talented artist herself who was especially fond of watercolour and children's illustrations. She was also a gifted wordsmith who took the time to contribute her skills to editing books and other documents for her friends and family.
She adored nature and was always curious about science. She had a green thumb and loved tending to her plants and looking after the animals who would frequent her porch every day. She also loved being in nature, stargazing and exploring beautiful places, taking her kids on walks or to beaches and woods, especially Lake Tahoe where she and the family would visit almost every summer.
She was an avid and curious learner. She learned how to cook Iraqi food from her mother-in-law and recreated many of her husband's favourite dishes.
She was a dear friend to many, and spent countless hours listening and laughing with friends and she touched each one of their lives deeply. She always put the focus on others and had a modest and humble disposition.
Billie Jean's life was marked by her unwavering dedication to her family and friends.
She and Peter celebrated over 60 years of marriage and renewed their vows on their 50th anniversary in 2014, at the same church they had married at in London. They cherished each other's company and together they relocated to Michigan in 2022 where they spent the rest of their days. Upon losing the love of her life, she joins him 3 months later to rest beside him forever.
Billie Jean's funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 18th, at 9:30 AM at Living Water Seventh Day Adventist Church in Southfield, MI where we will honour and celebrate her life. We will proceed from the church to the cemetery where she will be laid to rest at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield, MI.