With sadness, love, and gratitude we announce the passing of Elisabeth “Lies” Maria Ryan on April 6, 2021.
Predeceased by her beloved young son, Michael, in 1973 and husband, Laurence, (“Larry”) in 2000, Lies is survived by and deeply missed by her second husband, Dr. Embert van Tilburg, stepdaughter, Monica Storey (Doug), daughter, Kate Ryan-Lloyd, ‘schoon-zoon’ Ken, and her much loved grandchildren, Seamus, Megan, and Molly. Many family members in Holland and Australia also celebrate her life, including surviving siblings Miep, Jack, Ploon, Lia and Ton, as well as many nieces and nephews, including Marieke, Bart and Annelies den Dulk.
Lies and her twin sister, An, were born in Oegstgeest, Netherlands on November 8, 1936. They were the eighth and ninth children in a family of 11, born to Alida Goddijn and Antonie Jacob Joseph Peeters. As a child, she survived throughout World War II in occupied Holland, including the Dutch hunger-winter of 1944. Her school years in Oegstgeest were followed by nursing school in Leiden and immigration to Canada where she quickly made a new circle of friends, including her husband-to-be, Larry. She found fulfillment working as a registered nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Victoria and later Mount Saint Mary’s Hospital, retiring after a long and rewarding career.
Both her working life and retirement years centered on caring for others. Lies provided strength and love to Larry, who lived with Parkinson’s disease for over 20 years. Lies was a dedicated Oma, embracing every moment with her three grandchildren, each of whom was her pride and joy. Lies was also dedicated to her second husband, Embert, whose loving companionship she enjoyed for 12 happy years.
A devout and active member of both Saint Andrew’s Cathedral and Saint Patrick’s Parish communities, she found comfort in her Catholic faith, particularly in her later years, as memory loss limited her independence and capacity to initiate care for others with her characteristic selfless devotion.
Lies will be remembered for her strength, good humour, love, and resilience in difficult times. She was a fierce advocate for those who needed compassion and a humble role model for any who sought her guidance. While her life dealt with deep loss, she was quick to seize its many joys and took everything in stride. She was witty, honest, benevolent, a ruthless Scrabble player and might be typically found wearing a cozy, blue cardigan and enjoying a nice latte in the sunshine.
Special thanks to the compassionate medical team at the Royal Jubilee Hospital on 5 South, including Doctors Adilman and MacKenzie and nursing teams lead by Lea, Marilou and so many others. Donations in Lies’ memory will be welcomed by the Alzheimer’s Society of B.C. or the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Vancouver Island. A small Funeral Mass was held at St. Patrick’s Parish on Saturday, April 10, 2021 followed by interment at Royal Oak Burial Park. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
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Joy Green
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Tina Jubinville My sincerest condolences to my dear friend, Embert and both Lies’s and Embert’s families. It is with deep sadness that I read this news. Lies was such a beautiful soul. I always enjoyed our many talks together and sharing of stories when I would come over and teach Embert computer lessons. Lies had a huge caring heart and would always have a wonderful joke to share. She had the best laugh and always managed to bring a smile to my face, always asking about my children and forever worried I was working too hard. It was with great joy I watched the love and caring shared between her and Embert. I know she will be deeply missed by all who loved her. Sending much love, Tina Jubinville
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Bernadette and Jim O'Reilly Dear Embert, Kate and family,
We are thinking of you all during this difficult time! We always enjoyed our talks with
Elizabeth at Church. She was a lovely person.May the Lord of Hope fill you all with His peace!
Bernadette and Jim O’Reilly
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Jackie Ray Our condolences to Kate and family and Embert
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Jackie & Harry Ray We remember Lies with great fondness as a neighbour, and church acquaintance over several years. A beautiful and compassionate human being always interested in others. May she Rest In Peace.
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Deedee What a dear, sweet lady who will be missed enormously by all who knew her. I’ll always remember the last time she said my name. I always loved hearing her say it because her accent was so cute. It had been about a year since she said it, and suddenly one last time it just rolled off her tongue while asking a question. Makes me smile and cry at the same time, and just be so thankful that I was lucky enough to know her. Just her smile upon your face was a blessing and, thankfully, you didn’t have to realize it too late… You knew it right then and there.
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Remi De Roo Sincere sympathy during this period of mourning sprinkled with gratitude and lived faith. Blessings to you Embert and all of Lies’ family.
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Camil Dufort and Judith Hodgson Our sincere sympathy to Lies and Embert’s families. We fondly remember meals prepared by Lies and Embert, food from many different countries, and the joy shared at their wedding. Sadly we had not visited for a long time. But warm wonderful memories of cherished friends lives on and faith sustains us. Rest in Peace dear Lies.
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Father William Hann Rest in peace Elizabeth and thank you for your rich life of service and witness on behalf of the People of God at Saint Patrick’s.
FW
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Pam Grant Truly a life well lived. I count myself lucky to have known Lies -and to have enjoyed many good conversations with her. She was clever, kind, compassionate and funny – just like the family she leaves behind.
Hello Kate, Ken, Embert, Seamus, Bridget, and Molly. I am so sorry to read of Lies’s passage, but know your excellent memories of her will bring you comfort and solace in the days, weeks, and months ahead. I have a splendid long history of memories of Lies, and a multitude of humorous stories. My Mom considered Lies her best friend for many many years, and always enjoyed her company, delightful humour, and savvy game of Bridge. I learned many valuable skills from Lies as a Nurse at MSM, and always enjoyed her positive attitude, and great humour. She was a woman of great integrity, decency, compassion, and honour. We were so fortunate to know and enjoy Lies for so many years, and hope she will have much peace after all her years of service to others.