April 29, 1959 – February 27, 2024
On February 27, 2024, Elizabeth passed peacefully at Hospice Simcoe, Barrie, surrounded by her family. Elizabeth was born in Pembroke, Ontario, to Georgina Cloy (Sanders) Irvine and John Priestly Irvine. She was the older sister to Ian David Irvine. In her early years, she lived in several different countries and cities, settling in Barrie, Ontario in 1971. Her father passed in 1974; her mother passed in 1985. Elizabeth graduated from Georgian College’s Fashion and Marketing program in 1977.
On July 26, 1980, Elizabeth married her best friend and love of her life, Ben. They welcomed three sons and one daughter: Robert (1981), Michael (1982), David (1984), and Jessica (1987).
Elizabeth loved her family and took great joy in being a mother and grandmother. Some of her favourite memories were spending time with her family and grandchildren, enjoying the outdoors, camping, and doing crafts with them. Her other favourite hobbies and activities included knitting, horseback riding, weaving, walking through Lackie’s Bush with the dogs, which she loved immensely, and visiting family on the West Coast.
Elizabeth loved travelling. One of her fondest memories was camping across Canada with her family. She also loved seeing the world and visiting different countries with her husband and friends. Elizabeth was prominent in the knitting community and owner of local yarn shop Eliza's Buttons and Yarn. She started the Barrie Knitter’s Guild with the help of her friend Joan Thompson. She self-published a pattern book, and continued to design and publish independently, as well as for different yarn companies and magazines. She was an international knitting teacher and continued to teach at her store, as well as at annual retreats.
Elizabeth lived by the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would do unto yourself.” She also came to like a newer saying: “When you are born, you’re given two numbers, but it’s the dash in between them that matters.” Her favourite poem was ‘Footprints in the Sand’, her favourite song was ‘Forever Young’, by Bob Dylan, as sung by The Tenors, and her favourite flowers were daisies. Elizabeth is remembered by her family as always being there for them and supporting them throughout their lives. She will be greatly missed everyday, but her memory and wisdoms will never fade away.
“May God bless and keep you always. May your wishes all come true.
May you always do for others, let others do for you. May you build a
ladder to the sky, climb on every rung and may you stay forever young.”
-Forever Young, Bob Dylan
Elizabeth’s celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at St. George's Anglican Church, 9 Granville St, Barrie, ON
In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice Simcoe or the Canadian Cancer Society would be greatly appreciated.
Online memories and condolences may be shared at www.peacefultransition.ca