Vancouver.
Elizabeth was born in Wainwright AB on January 17, 1931. Growing up in a small town,
one of the highlights was going to the Friday night dances at the Lodge - especially when the
soldiers were in town. In 1949 she moved to Edmonton and landed a job at the Northwest Air
Command. In 1951 she moved to Vancouver, eventually joining the Royal Canadian Air Force.
She married in 1953, and four years later Camille was born. In 1958 Elizabeth enlisted in the
Canadian Women’s Army Corp. Secretly, she and her friends called it “Crazy Women Across
Canada”. She remained in the Corp for 11 years, during which time Michelle was born in 1964.
In 1967 Sgt. Elizabeth O’Donnell became a Warrant Officer and was the first woman to get her
Crown, which she said “was a real feather in her cap.” After leaving the Army, Elizabeth
became a typesetter at the Vancouver Times while raising 2 small children at home. Later, and
until she retired, she worked as a Legal Assistant in Conveyancing.
Elizabeth loved to dance and to play the piano. She also loved to read and to travel, her
favourite destination being Hawaii, having visited 8 times. Her life and the lives of her family
were chronicled in her beloved photo albums.
Elizabeth had a beautiful mind and a generous heart. She was sweet, caring, intelligent,
outspoken and strong, with a great sense of humour. She was loved by all who met her.
Elizabeth will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by her sister Frances (98), her
daughters Camille (Ron) and Michelle (Lianne), grandchildren Kristyn (Ryan) and Adam,
numerous nieces and nephews, and dear friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held on January 17, 2019, Elizabeth’s 88th birthday.
Location TBD.
in lieu of flowers, donations in Elizabeth’s memory to the Arthritis Society are appreciated.
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