Elizabeth Helen Harris passed peacefully at the Victoria Hospice from heart-related causes on June 18th, with daughters Megan and Nicole by her side.
Elizabeth was born in Sydney, Australia in 1945 to Thomas and Helen Harris. She attended the University of Sydney (BSc Geography) and Carleton University (Master of Social Work). She leaves behind her two daughters Megan Elizabeth Hamlet (partner Richard Hatter, Mila, 10, and Willem, 7) of Nanaimo, and Nicole Marie Hamlet (Oliver, 14) of Burlington, Vermont, her brother Alan Harris (Pamela Harris), and nephews Broderick Perelli-Harris (partner Brienna, Aaralyn 17 and Caeden, 15), and Mitchell Harris (partner Diana, Alice, 14, and Rose, 11).
Elizabeth enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a social worker and manager in several health care facilities in Victoria. She was a passionate and committed advocate for seniors and made significant contributions to innovative programs and services in the field of aging. After retirement, Elizabeth relished her role as a volunteer in the community and maintained close contact with her many friends and colleagues, all of whom mourn the loss of the wise woman with a gentle spirit.
Elizabeth was passionate about travel, sailing, and music, and was a voracious reader. She was fiercely dedicated to her grandchildren and frequently traveled to Vermont and Nanaimo to see them. One could often find Elizabeth with her nose in a book, walking around Victoria, having great discussions with her many friends, or venturing off to sample pastries at a nearby bakery. She left an imprint in all aspects of her life and will be missed and fondly remembered by all who knew her.
In celebration of Elizabeth’s life, a garden tea party will take place on Sunday, July 17th from 3:00 – 5:00 pm at 2423 Dalhousie Street, Victoria, B.C. Friends, family, and those whose lives she touched are welcome.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
http://www.mccallgardens.com
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Susan Lees
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charles joerin I really liked and respected Elizabeth. As Director of Seniors Health for the Capital Health Region, she was my boss. We had a collegial relationship at that time that felt like peers working together to support our healthcare family-clients as well as co-workers. Elizabeth came through for me during a personal crises by acting on my behalf quickly and decisively. This demonstration of support showed her integrity that was rooted in a caring mind and heart out of which she responded in all situations. In our retirements we saw each other rarely but when we did she was always who she was: kind, gracious, interesting and interested in who she was with. Elizabeth was a woman of faith who, I imagine, had candid conversations with her God/dess. Eternal rest grant unto her and may eternal light shine upon her. My thoughts and prayers are with you, her family. I know she was a blessing to you. This will not end. Love does not die, it is eternal. Elizabeth is with you.
I am just so sad to hear of Elizabeth’s passing. I keep wondering how such a strong, kind, compassionate, gentle human with such a good heart could succumb to heart failure.
Elizabeth was my first practicum supervisor in medical social work and I couldn’t have imagined a better mentor. She was too busy managing and creating programs for the elderly to have me full time under her wings but she was well connected and shared me around so I had 6 diverse experiences in the medical system within a year – an amazing education in itself. When we did connect we talked about social work, family, faith and life…that was the foundation of our relationship and I’m sure all of the relationships in Elizabeth’s life. When we spoke of strength, Elizabeth would mention her spirituality and many times over the years she invited me to join her ‘group’. I knew of her Anglican roots but it wasn’t until I attended a Buddhist sangha with a mutual friend that I understood that this was Elizabeth’s community as well. Elizabeth told me that night that wherever she travelled she was welcomed into a sangha and that she found much solace in that. Elizabeth was an amazing social worker and there is no doubt that she had found her calling. However, the fortitude required to navigate within a system to negotiate, advocate for and create the resources that she did, over and above the complexities of her own life is best done by a person who is wise, balanced, methodical and committed to her purpose. Thus, I believe Elizabeth found her calling as a social worker and she stayed grounded and found strength within her community, her sangha. – “If in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone will profit from it. This is the most basic kind of peace work.”
― Thich Nhat Hanh, Being Peace
Thank-you for all that you shared with myself and everybody who crossed your path in this life Elizabeth. May your family find ongoing peace in their memories of you and perhaps by reading the words of Thich Nhat Hanh and taking them to heart as you did. You have left a rich legacy in Victoria…like a wave, the ripples of your time here on earth will be felt forever. With Love, Susan