Elizabeth Robertson

Peacefully, in her sleep, on April 27, 2011 at the Cambridge Memorial Hospital in her 81st year after a brief, valiant struggle with the effects of a stroke. Beloved wife of 54 years of Donald Andrew who died in December, 2009. Predeceased by her parents, Peter and Kathleen Wallach, her sister, Vivienne McQuillan and her brother, Terry Wallach. She is survived by her seven children, Nancy, Suzanne, Wendy, Mary Lou, Paul, Martha and Sarah and their spouses Khoan Pham, James Steele, Bev Lepard, Denice Robertson, Randy Lewis and John Klager. She was the proud Grandma of Andrew and Joanna Kadwell, Hannah and Margaret Pham, Alexander, Vivienne, Evelyn and Audrey Steele, Avalon, Madeleine and Sydney Lepard, Reid and Blair Robertson, Joshua and Zachary Lewis, Quinn, Luke and Seth Robertson, and Lauren and Sydney Klager. She was the much loved Aunty Bitsy to Mary Lou Skoggard and Cynthia McQuillan, and sister-in-law of Margaret Wallach and Shaun McQuillan.

Born in the Beach, Toronto on May 17, 1930, Bitsy attended St. Joseph College School. She was a lifeguard and achieved grade X piano RCM. She graduated with a BSc. in Home Economics from Acadia University in 1952 and completed a dietetic internship at Toronto General Hospital. Don and Bitsy were married in 1955 at Blessed Sacrament Church, Toronto and lived in Montréal, Kitimat, B.C., South Lancaster, Ont. before settling in Cambridge, Ont. in 1968. She worked as a dietician at the Jewish General Hospital, Montréal. She was a volunteer in the Cambridge Diversion Court for delinquent youth and fostered guide dog puppies. She was a member of the YMCA, CFUW, Victoria Park Tennis Club, book and investment clubs, hiking and biking groups and numerous bridge clubs, all of which she did until her late seventies, and bridge until the end. She was a member of Trinity Anglican Church, Probus and Zonta Clubs. She was a solid Canadian who cast her ballot for the upcoming federal election from her hospital bed.

Bitsy’s proudest achievement was her family – whole, healthy, well-educated, self-sufficient, happy. She was practical to a fault, fair by necessity and keen on a good example. She was not shy when an honest opinion was due. Her spirit and wisdom were admired by her friends. She loved a garden, the Globe and Mail, the CBC, live theatre and music, travelling with Don and scotch before dinner, and most of all her husband, children and nieces.

In her last year, when her world became a bit smaller, Mum was grateful for her good neighbours, deep friendships near and far, and the unflagging support of her family. She was our touch stone, our mother. Her laugh, her interest in everybody and everything, the twinkle of love in her blue eyes. She gave us the gift of each other and for this we are grateful. Night night love.

At Mum’s request there will be no visitation. A funeral service will be held at Trinity Anglican Church, 12 Blair Road, Cambridge on May 4th at 2:30pm followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the CFUW Cambridge Scholarship Fund and the Lions Foundation of Canada Guide Dogs ([email protected] or 1-800-768-3030). Tributes may be made online at www.couttsfuneralhome.com