Obituary of Elizabeth Burgess

Peacefully on Monday, December 29, 2008, following a joyous Christmas celebration, surrounded by her children and grandchildren at the family ski cabin. Daughter of the late Dr. Phillips and Helen Macdonnell. Wife of the late A. Campbell Burgess, Q.C., mother of Andy (Beth) Burgess, Peter Burgess, and Alexandra (Philip) Norris, grandmother of Charlie, Sarah and Campbell Burgess, Cleo, Katie and Brit Norris. Sister of Janet New and the late Margot Morris.Born in Kingston, Lib graduated in Arts from Queen's University in 1952. Always the entertainer, she played the lead in a number of theatrical productions and was a Highland Dancer. While working for Harrod's in London, Lib shared a drafty flat with dear friends Jacquie Doran and Lesley Taylor. She later settled in Toronto to pursue a career in marketing. In 1963, she married Cam Burgess and began a wonderful twenty-five years of marriage. As she raised her family, Lib also played an active role in the community as President of Big Sister Association, President of Crescent School Ladies Guild, Chair of the Organization and Planning Committee of the Presbyterian Church in Canada and President of Women's Association of Calvin Presbyterian Church.Lib triumphed over multiple medical illnesses for decades including breast cancer, myasthenia gravis and cardiomyopathy. She maintained her engaging wit and dynamic personality throughout. Her honesty and memorable sense of humour will be sorely missed. A special thanks to Drs. Rappaport, Gladstone, Wigle, Madan and Stanton, Susan Sainsbury and the caregivers of Living Assisted Services, Toronto, Chris, Catherine and Jennifer of A Friend in Need, Huntsville. The family will receive friends at the Humphrey Funeral Home - A.W. Miles Chapel, 1403 Bayview Avenue, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Monday, January 5th. The funeral service will be held at Calvin Presbyterian Church, 26 Delisle Avenue, Toronto at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 6th. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, 2300 Yonge Street, Suite 1300, P.O. Box 2414, Toronto M4P 1E4, Evangel Hall Mission, 552 Adelaide Street West, Toronto M5V 3W8 or Presbyterian Church in Canada, 50 Wynford Drive, Toronto M3C 1J7.