Elizabeth Ann Axelson (nee Loper) peacefully passed away on January 11, 2014, surrounded by family and friends at the Abbotsford Regional Cancer Hospital. She was 69. Elizabeth was born in Seattle, WA on May 7, 1944 to Lincoln and Eleanor Loper. She was raised and educated in Bellevue and she attended the University of Washington, Seattle, where she received her B.Ed. in 1966.
Elizabeth (Liz) met her husband, Jim, while attending university and they were married on August 17, 1968 in Bellevue, WA. The couple moved to Buffalo, NY, where she taught elementary school while Jim completed his Ph.D. at the SUNY@ Buffalo. Upon completion, the couple moved back West where Jim taught and did research in pharmaceutical sciences at UBC. They began their family resulting in three children, Daniel, Christopher and Joanna.
Liz was wonderfully artistic whether she was in the kitchen crafting specialty breads or creating her wonderful artistic quilts using fabrics she colored. Liz had a gift for bringing out the creative best in herself and those around her. As a member of several local quilt guilds, she inspired others and her family with her colorful creations. A woman of indomitable spirit she created several beautiful baby quilts despite her recent and final illness. She was a true inspiration to all who knew and loved her. The absolute delights of Liz’s life were her grand children who gave her strength and hope during her final illness.
Elizabeth is survived by her husband of 45 years, Jim, at their home in Aldergrove, B.C. Sons, Daniel, Aldergrove, BC Christopher (Justyna) of Richmond, BC, and daughter Joanna (Jesper) Nilsson of Port Coquitlam, BC. Grandchildren, Ava Axelson, Gustav Nilsson, and Sixten Nilsson. Siblings, Susan Laigo of Seattle, Greg Loper (Dorothy) of Bellevue, and Steven Loper (Jody) of Issaquah. Also surviving is an aunt, Margaret Hansen, living in Bellevue, WA., and many nieces, nephews and many great friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and in-laws.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Peace Lutheran Church, 2029 Ware Street, Abbotsford, BC, at 1:00 pm on Saturday, February 8, 2014 with Pastor J. Christoph Reiners officiating. Henderson Funeral Home of Langley, BC is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to the Cancer Society of BC in Elizabeth’s name.
The family would like to express their appreciation to Drs. Brown, Glanzberg and Gurjal and the Hospice staff at the Abbotsford Cancer Care Hospital Tertiary Care Unit, Cheam, for their loving care and attention to Elizabeth in the final weeks of her life.
Arrangements under the direction of Henderson's Langley Funeral Home, Langley, BC.
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