M. ELIZABETH VAN BUSKIRK

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M. ELIZABETH VAN BUSKIRK It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Elizabeth Van Buskirk, at Pembina Place Personal Care Home, on Thursday, February 7, 2008. She is survived by her beloved daughters Mary Van Buskirk (Frank Fitch) and Marjorie Hughes (Colin), and her dear grandchildren, Louise and Edward Hughes. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Van (William Fraser Woods Van Buskirk) in 1967. Elizabeth was born in Havelock, NB, on December 4, 1910, but grew up in Lethbridge, AB, where her father practised medicine. The beautiful mountains and foothills of Alberta always held a special place in her heart. She trained as a nurse at the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, BC, and then returned to Alberta where she worked for several years. There she met Van, the love of her life. They were married in Lethbridge on June 22, 1938, and spent their honeymoon at Chateau Lake Louise, surrounded by the mountains they both loved so much. After a short time in Edmonton, Elizabeth and Van moved to Winnipeg in 1942, where Elizabeth devoted herself to her true vocation, that of loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Elizabeth was a very sociable person and a wonderful listener. She was always eager to hear news of friends and family. She enjoyed a good game of bridge and her close friends over the years included many from her bridge clubs. She also enjoyed playing Scrabble with family and friends. She loved to travel, and was able to visit Europe a few times, and spend winter holidays in the southern USA for many years. From the time they came to Winnipeg, Elizabeth and Van were faithful members of Holy Trinity Anglican Church, where Elizabeth served on the Chancel Guild. Many other organizations benefited from her volunteer spirit too, including the Girl Guides, the Winnipeg Art Gallery, and the Manitoba Musical Festival. All who knew her will miss her loving heart, her engaging smile, her generous spirit, and her genuine interest in everyone she knew. Elizabeth's family wants to express sincere gratitude and appreciation to the wonderful staff of the Pembina Place Personal Care Home for all their tender loving kindness in the last years of her life. A funeral service will be held in the chapel at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, on Monday, February 11, at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Holy Trinity Church Endowment Fund, 256 Smith St., Winnipeg, MB R3C 1K1, would be appreciated.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 09, 2008