Obituary of Elizabeth Irvine

Jan, a woman of immense talent and quiet determination, died peacefully at home in Toronto. Fate cut short a life of accomplishment, compassion and caring. She truly loved and sadly leaves behind her husband, Alexander (Sandy) Logan, her children, Erin and Bryan, her parents, Elma and Daniel Irvine and her nephew, Daniel, and was predeceased by her only sibling, Bill. Born in Scotland, she came to Canada at age 9 with her family. In her new country, she excelled at school, had an adventurous spirit, developed a keen sense of competition, enjoyed telling anecdotes and formed many close friendships. She melded her academic interests with her desire to help others by completing her M.D. and specialty training at the University of Toronto and M.Sc. in clinical epidemiology at McMaster University. Her professional life began at McMaster University, where under the mentorship of Dr. Richard Hunt, her academic career flourished. She developed a quality of life instrument, now used worldwide, for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. She became Professor of Medicine at McMaster and, after her appointment as Division Head of Gastroenterology at St Michael's Hospital in 2003, at the University of Toronto. She greatly appreciated the compassionate care of Dr. Paul Kortan and the St Michael's 16C-North and endoscopy nursing staff. Visitation will take place at the Humphrey Funeral Home, 1403 Bayview Avenue, on Sunday, July 24 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held at Rosedale United Church, 159 Roxborough Drive, on Monday, July 25 at 11 a.m. A reception at the church will follow immediately. Friends and colleagues are welcome at her home, 95 Roxborough Street East, from 4 p.m. onward. Donations in Jan's memory may be made to St. Michael's Hospital Foundation or McMaster University.