Elizabeth McBride

McBRIDE, Elizabeth Jean Elizabeth Jean McBride, (nee Palmer), wife, mother, grandmother and friend died peacefully in Edmonton, Alberta on July 29, 2008. The peace with which she left her family is a reflection of her faith and the full and happy life she lived in the company of family and friends. Elizabeth is survived by five children: daughter Gail (John Murphy), sons Boyd (Barbara MacKinnon), Scott (Heike Roth), Ian (Nicole Girard), and Fraser (Jeanette Oliver); and grandchildren Justin (Gail), Luke and Beth (Boyd), Bronwyn, Stuart and Liana (Scott), and Celine (Ian). She was predeceased by Ian, her loving husband of 44 years. She leaves a hole that cannot be filled in the lives of her family and will be sorely missed by more distant relatives Alison Douglas (Steve Struthers), Leslie Hendra and Michael Clark, her cousins Andy and Bill Klein and their families, Valerie Finnegan, Isobel Elias, and by a wider circle of friends. Elizabeth was highly regarded as a volunteer. She embodied Winston Churchill's notion that "We make a life by what we give." She was a long-time and active member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority and the Junior League of Edmonton, a patron of and volunteer in the arts community, a member of the United Church, and a trustee of the Edmonton Public Library. She was also an advocate and donor for a range of causes and charities including several arts groups, SOS Children's Villages, the Bissell Centre, the United Way, CirKids School of Circus Arts and others. She gave and gave to her community, to her city and province, and to her country of choice. In her professional career in radio and later in library management systems, she enjoyed her colleagues, and made them, as well as her parents, husband and children proud. Elizabeth loved to travel, always using the trips as a backdrop to strengthening relations with family or friends. Part of her legacy to her children and grandchildren was her encouragement of self-discovery through travel, sports, education, professional commitment, and family life. Born May 23, 1925 Elizabeth lived a wonderful life and left the world a better place.Friends are encouraged to continue her legacy of giving with a charitable donation in lieu of flowers to SOS Children's Villages Canada, the Bissell Centre or any other charity or cause which she supported. A Memorial Service will be held at St. Paul's United Church, 11526 - 76 Avenue, Edmonton on Friday, August 15, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. Foster & McGarvey Funeral Home 10011 - 114 Street, Edmonton, Alberta (780) 428 - 6666