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BORN

1927

DIED

2021

FUNERAL HOME

Whelan Funeral Home

515 Cooper Street

Ottawa, Ontario

Elisabeth VON HERFF Obituary

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: [email protected] or tel. 613-233-1488 for further details.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Globe and Mail from Mar. 27 to Mar. 31, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Elisabeth VON HERFF

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12 Entries

Peter Panholzer, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent UK

October 31, 2022

Peter Panholzer, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent UK

October 31, 2022

During the first week of February 1972 I was invited to a Viennese dinner at the West Toronto home of Elisabeth and Chris von Herff. I had been admitted as landed immigrant (architect) in September of the previous year. I talked with Elisabeth at length about her step-grandfather, the renowned Vienna Ringstrasse architect Johann Romano Ritter vom Ringe (1818-1882). She had a large oil painting of Romano in her living room.
I shall never forget the support I received from Elisabeth, giving advice how to cope as a recent immigrant to a new country. She treated me like a son.
Elisabeth's grandmother "Cary" Ritschl had been previously married to the famous and wealthy architect Johann Romano Ritter vom Ringe. After his death she was dubbed "The Merry Widow".
After dinner and over coffee, Elisabeth talked about the cluster of Austrian and German aristocracy which had emigrated to Canada and settled in the Niagara / Toronto region.
I promised to send her a biography of Romano but I never succeded with it. There was simply too little material about his private life.
The photo of Elisabeth higher up at this memorial page must have been taken roughly at the same time I met her and her husband Chris, because this is the way I remember her. I really regret not having been in touch since. Elisabeth will be for ever in my fond memory

Peter Panholzer, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, UK

October 31, 2022

Peter Panholzer, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, UK

October 31, 2022

During the first week of February 1972 I was invited to a Viennese dinner at the Toronto home of Elisabeth and Chris von Herff. I had been admitted as landed immigrant in September of the previous year. I talked with Chris and Elisabeth at length about her step-grandfather, the renowned Vienna Ringstrasse architect Johann Romano Ritter vom Ringe (1818-1882), the first husband of her grandmother Cary Ritschl (at the time dubbed "The Merry Widow"). There was a large oil painting in their living room, a portrait of Romano.
I shall never forget the support I received from Elisabeth, giving advice how to cope as a recent immigrant to a new country. She treated me like a son.
I am sad that I failed to reconnect with her before her recent passing. The photograph (higher up here) of her obituary must have been taken at about the time I had met Elisabeth in early 1972 - more than 50 years ago. It is exactly how I remember her. Elisabeth's tales about the cluster of Austrian aristocracy in the Niagara / Toronto area and her kindness towards me will be forever in my memory.

Dagmar v. Taube

May 26, 2021

Elisabeth made a difference in my life. Her energy was amazing and her heart bigger than life itself. What stood out for me the most was her judgement about people. She didn't care if you were poor or rich, that was not important to her, what was important was the soul.She gave me so many memories which I will cherish forever. I am so happy to have known her. Her laughter was contagious. What a nice memory !
Dagmar v. Taube

Group of 10 Memorial Trees

Love Ronald and Beth Bayens

Planted Trees

Ronald Bayens

April 5, 2021

Elisabeth Von Herff was more than a family friend, she was family. I have known her as long as I can remember. Our families went though wonderful times and sad times together and Elisabeth was always there with kindness, happiness and open arms.
Elisabeth, when I talked with her last only a few weeks ago said she was my "other mother" and she was. She not only gave me that great honor but shared her whole family.
One of the most defining parts of my growing up was being invited to spend weeks in Eganville where her father in-law had a farm. Opa Von Herff took me in as another grandson and taught me all about forestry and love of the land. I still use those skills today in my own forest. When there with Michael, he saw us as brothers and I was taken to all the family gatherings and visited friends. It was wonderful.
Elisabeth made all this possible. She always had open arms for me and made sure she made my favorite wiener schnitzel when I visited, hers was the best. She made it the last time I visited her in Ottawa and she also made me breakfast with farm eggs she had driven to Pembroke to get. She made this egg run often to visit friends and bring back eggs for her and her Ottawa friends, she was over 90 years old then !
I am blessed for knowing her and her family Karen, Chris and Michael. I can't imagine the joy she must have felt to be with Karen again.
May God bless Elisabeth, she was an exceptional person and I am a better person for knowing her.

Ronald Bayens

Christel Acton

March 31, 2021

Dear Michael and Family, when I felt my loneliest, Elisabeth was there. Now I'll always know that she is there with me, whether on this Earth or in spirit. She felt the same way about you Michael and your family and while we're experiencing a physical loss, I hope you know that no one we love really ever leaves us, as cliched as that may sound,it's true. I hope this brings you comfort. Elisabeth was one of my favorite people, kindhearted and generous I will miss her greatly. Many sympathies for your loss.
With love, Christel

norma duggan

March 29, 2021

I have met Elisabeth through my sister Marilyn and wish to extend my sympathy to her family.I was very honored to have met this interesting lady.

Yvonne Messchaert Oberlander

March 29, 2021

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Dave Clark

March 27, 2021

Elisabeth was a consummate supporter of Rotary. She would host many a Christmas fireside and was always ready to pitch in and help. In this picture she enjoys a Canada Day breakfast with some of her many friends. ( no doubt after taking a turn at washing dishes) Eganville Rotary extends our sincere condolences to the family and will be making a memorial donation to SOS Children’s Village.

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515 Cooper Street (between Bay & Lyon), Ottawa, ON K1R 5J1