Elizabeth George
January 23rd, 2017
It is with great sadness that the family of Elizabeth George announces her passing on Monday, January 23rd, 2017, after a long illness.
Elizabeth was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1954, but spent most of her childhood in Innerleithen, Scotland, where she excelled in her primary education and so was named Dux Girl of the St Ronan's Border Games in 1966. Elizabeth’s family immigrated to Burlington, Ontario, in 1967, and moved to Hanover, Ontario, in 1969 where she attended high school. Elizabeth attended the University of Regina for French. She achieved her BA after completing a one-year practicum in St. Étienne, France.
In 1981 Elizabeth began her long career in early childhood education when she became Executive Director at the Whitmore Park Childcare Co-operative. Elizabeth led the parents' cooperative in building the first 'free-standing' child care centre in Regina. She is remembered by hundreds of children who passed through her centre.
Elizabeth’s deep passions were singing and nature. She loved connecting with nature at the family's Lumsden Beach cottage and sang for many years with the Singers of the Sacred Web. Elizabeth will be lovingly remembered by her life-partner, Paul Wilson, and their daughters Emily and Sarah, by her stepmother Anna George, and by her sisters and brother: Patricia, Alison, and Ian. Elizabeth will also be remembered by her life-long friend Heather Frayne, extended family, and many dear friends.
A date for Elizabeth’s Celebration of Life will be announced later this month. Memorial donations in memory of Elizabeth can be made to QU’APPELLE HOUSE OF PRAYER [Box 1978, Fort Qu’Appelle, S0G 1S0] where she spent many bright days surrounded by friendship and beauty.
Messages:
Paul: recently learned of your sad news, of Elizabeth's death. My sympathy to you and your daughters.
Elizabeth was my good friend for over 40 years since we met at the U of R doing music together. Over the years we spoke sporadically, distance oblige, but the conversation was always just picked up where we'd left off. Elizabeth was a good listener and shared her wisdoms generously. Despite life's struggles, there was always time for laughter. She was one of life's beautiful gifts. To Paul, Sarah, Emily and her family, my heartfelt condolences.
We too are saddened by the news of both Elizabeth's illness and death. She had a big and positive impact on our family and us individually through the Whitmore Park Childcare Coop. Although many others were part of making WPCCC the nurturing place it was, I believe it was Elizabeth that nurtured that place and all the people within it. Paul, Emily and Sarah, know that our thoughts and prayers go out to you and we trust your memories of your partner and mother will sustain you in the years to come. The Mitschkes
Paul, I am so sorry to hear of Elizabeth's death. Please accept my deepest condolences. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Take care.
I sang with Elizabeth in the Sacred Web singers and had a few nice conversations with her. She was lovely and had a wonderful energy. Wishing I could sing with her again. Sincere Condolences, Sarah Wells
Our hearts go out to you. Elizabeth was a lovely person, a beautiful spirit and a fabulous aunt to our children. You are in our prayers.
I am deeply saddened to hear of Elizabeth's passing. My son attended Whitmore Park Childcare Center when Elizabeth was Director. My husband and I will always be grateful for Elizabeth's high standards, wisdom and inspired guidance in providing a nurturing early start for our son. She was a trailblazer in early childhood education. Please accept our deepest condolences for someone who left us far too early but who did so much for so many in her life.
Paul, Emily & Sarah: Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May you find strength and comfort in the many friends who share your sorrow, and celebrate Elizabeth's life and accomplishments, Gary Seib & Barbara Shourounis
Dear Paul, Emily, and Sarah, My deepest condolences on your loss of your life partner, and dearest mother. Elizabeth was a very humane, and caring person, and she always went the extra mile for others. I was able to observe this quality in her many times at Whitmore Park, in the many years I worked with and for her. My heart broke at the news of Elizabeth's passing.
Dear Paul, Emily and Sarah, Deepest sympathies from our family to yours. The last time I talked to Elizabeth, I was struck by how serene she was, despite the years of being sick. She just took such joy in you girls. Every day with you was clearly a gift to her. You were tremendous through this. Kelley Jo and Eric
Hi Emily So sorry my dear, but it's been so hard for your Mom the last few years. KB gave me a number for you but not the area code so didn't get through. She and Jon are in Barrie where his grandfather is in his last days. If you feel like it, give me a call.
Paul, Emily and Sarah, I am keeping you close in my heart. I worked with Elizabeth at Whitmore Park and admired her greatly. She was kind and generous and a fierce advocate for the Children in her care. My deepest sympathies to you and her extended family.
One of the sweetest souls around. I'm so sorry, Paul and girls and family.
Dear Paul, Emily and Sarah, We are so very sad to learn of your loss and wish you comfort and peace now and always. We know Elizabeth's was a life well lived with the blessings of wellness and happiness, challenges and successes, intelligence, peace and contentment and the love of family and friends that surrounded her always. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. 'Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal.' (from a headstone in Ireland) Robin Clark, Michael Clark (from the years at Whitmore Park Childcare Cooperative)
We were fortunate to have known Elizabeth for the last few years of her life, having shared some wonderful meals with her and Paul. She was a pillar of strength in her illness, and I remember especially with great poignancy, how she read one of Paul's poems in his most recent book, The Invisible Library. The love between the two of them was absolutely palpable. It was a force to be reckoned with and to be shared. They did just that, and now that Elizabeth is gone, the love still remains, still reverberating within our own hearts. Joanne Weber and Murray Valiaho
Farewell Elizabeth Thank you for our visit in January. We knew Elizabeth from Whitmore Park day care while at Grant Rd School. Our deepest sympathies to her family. Marlene and Randy Glettler
We were saddened to learn of Elizabeth's passing and write to extend our condolences. Our son Justin attended the Whitmore Park Childcare Cooperative and received excellent care as a result of Elizabeth's strong leadership. We were also pleased to have her as part of the Lumsden Beach community. Please know that you are not alone at this difficult time and please accept our sincere sympathy.
Having just now received the tribute to Elizabeth (thank you, dear ones, for writing this caring obituary) about to be published, both the sadness of her much too early death, and the inspiration of how she gave away her life and how she gave away her death to us, brings us back to the thin air she invited us into in her final days and hours. She reshaped our lives by her dying. Our hearts ache for and with you, Paul, Emily, Sarah, Heather and many more. With a love that is deeply grateful, Margaret and Glenn - Qu'Appelle House of Prayer
Dear gentle, generous spirit that was Elizabeth, and the one who remains in my heart. Elizabeth and I knew each other for one year in 1973, at Luther College at the University of Regina. We rekindled our friendship in the early nineties and shared so much: gardenning, our cottages and our singing group becoming fast friends. We travelled together to Banff, twice, to share in the Arts Centre recordings of two Sacred Web CDs. This special and nurturing circle became more and more essential as E's illness progressed. Elizabeth's dedication in all that she did was also reflected in the gratitude of many parents who loved Grant Rd daycare because Elizabeth ensured that it was a place of safety, and enrichment for each child. Another favourite spot E and I shared was my back deck which overlooks a diverse ecosystem of pond, fruit trees, perennials and veges..we would sit out there sipping tea or wine, or eat supper, until the last vestiges of light or summer disappeared. Blessings to E's spirit, to Paul, Emily, Sarah, and her siblings. Much love, Ingrid
Elizabeth was an essential member of the Singers of the Sacred Web, and a dear friend to so many of us. The circle was always better, stronger, brighter, and more sure with her clear voice and presence. She sang an unwavering harmony line! Elizabeth also had an important part and influence in the creation of the collaborative art project called All Beings Confluence. The project pays tribute to and honours the creatures of the natural world. With Paul, Emily, Sarah, Elizabeth's siblings, step-mother Anna and Heather we will remember. Even now we know that Elizabeth is never far away. with love and gratitude, Ruth Blaser
What a terrible loss! Thinking of you, Paul, and your beautiful daughters.