Billey Heifetz, 87, died peacefully at Lakeshore Lodge, in Toronto on Wednesday, February 7th following a hip fracture and battle with Alzheimers. She was born Billey Torkelson in Eastend Saskatchewan, January 15, 1931, the youngest daughter of Walter Torkelson and Gertrude Torkelson (Sinkler).

A strong but sensitive Prairie girl, Billey had the upbringing of Dorothy in Wizard of Oz, raised by foster parents Agnes and Bob Wilkinson in a farmhouse in Tisdale, Saskatchewan. She grew up loving dogs, nature and learning to play the piano – fostering a deep, lifelong appreciation of classical music. The classic beauty moved to Vancouver in late teens where she became a Vancouver Sunshine Girl. She began a career as a secretary working for the banks, CBC casting – and even NBC in Washington briefly before coming to Toronto. Her beauty attracted the attention of law student Gerald Heifetz at a party held by Peter Munk in the early 1950s and they were married in 1956, settling in Moore Park. She led a somewhat private existence but was to the end a graceful, effortlessly-stylish, strong-willed and warm-hearted resident of Summerhill Gardens – a bird-watcher, symphony goer, literature lover, skier, gardener, obsessively clean homemaker – devoted wife and very loving mother. She is pre-deceased by husband Gerald and her sisters Doris and Delphia. Among her surviving relatives are daughter Laura, niece Candis, nephew Wayne and cousins, Irene and Sally.

A private memorial will be held in the Spring and donations in her honour can be sent to the OSPCA.