Elisabeth Pia VON HERFF

1927 - 2021

ELISABETH PIA VON HERFF (née von Ritschl) Born February 11, 1927 in Knittelfeld, Austria, Oma died in Ottawa on March 24, 2021 serene and content about her life and those she loved. Predeceased by her husband Christoph von Herff (2013), daughter Karin (1977) and brother Ruediger von Ritschl (1979), Elisabeth is survived by her son Michael von Herff, daughter-in-law Sheila McIntyre and adoring grandchildren William, Silas and Lucy. She also leaves nephews Ruediger and Andreas von Ritschl and will be missed by her extended McIntyre family who embraced her as part of their world over the past four decades: Elizabeth Engelke (Andrew), Charles McIntyre (Erin) and 'honorary grandchildren' Sarah, James, Connor and Seamus. The child of an Austrian officer and an English artist, Elisabeth's family briefly immigrated to Canada in the mid-1930s before returning to Austria on the eve of the Second World War. She spent the war in Knittelfeld, surviving the death of her father, the bombing of her hometown and a 150 km journey on foot through the mountains to escape the advancing Red Army in May 1945. In 1952, Elisabeth immigrated to Canada along with her brother and mother, and settled in Toronto where she met her husband Chris von Herff. They raised two children and created a strong and loving partnership that survived the heartbreaking loss of their 14-year old daughter Karin to leukemia. Elisabeth's life was anchored by the concept of family and the duty we have to care for others - whether it was her immediate relations or the extended family that she and Chris created in Toronto and later in the Ottawa Valley. Their house was a gathering point for a wide assortment of friends, many of whom were also immigrants to Canada and were drawn to the von Herff dinner table for Elisabeth's Austrian home cooking and spontaneous hospitality. Even though she worked full time, she routinely planned for dinner to include the company of one or more friends who just happened to drop by at mealtimes. Elisabeth's professional life involved a variety of administrative roles and, later in life, work as a travel agent. Like so many others she was an active volunteer in her community and took particular pride in being part of founding the Valley Festival, which brought choral and classical music performances to the Ottawa Valley. She loved classical music and in her 90s took full advantage of living in Ottawa to subscribe to the NAC Orchestra's concert series, always bringing along a friend or neighbour as her guest. She was so thankful for the friendship and loving support she received from her friends at Park Place over the past eight years and the carers at Amica Westboro in her final months. Most of all, she was grateful to Canada for the life it gave her and, in particular, those working in our health care system who were always there when her family needed comfort and healing. A celebration of life will take place Sunday, March 28 at 11 a.m. (ET) via Zoom. In addition, Elisabeth has insisted that 'a big party' be held at the time of her interment when friends and family can safely gather to celebrate a life well lived. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to SOS Children's Villages Canada https://www.soschildrensvillages.ca/ an organization dear to the family's heart. Arrangements entrusted to the Whelan Funeral Home, for Zoom coordinates, please contact by email: info@WhelanFuneralHome.ca or tel. 613-233-1488 for further details.