Elizabeth Douglas

Obituary of Elizabeth Douglas

ELIZABETH LYNN DOUGLAS (nee McCaw) April 24, 1949 - April 23, 2013 On Tuesday, at the age of 63, surrounded by family, Lynn passed peacefully while in the care of the Kensington Hospice in Toronto, Ontario, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Loving wife and best friend of Cameron. Very proud mother of Scott and Todd. Cherished daughter of the late Alec and Gladys McCaw (nee Fulton). Much loved sister of Patricia (Dennis) Hammerton. Cherished aunt of Sarah (Robert) Tagliapietra and Paul Hammerton. Dear sister-in-law of Ron and Lynda Douglas (nee Lees). Born in Windsor, Ontario, Lynn was raised in Windsor and Oakville, Ontario, and attended Grade 13 at Neuchâtel Junior College in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. Lynn attended the University of Western Ontario where she joined the Pi Beta Phi sorority. She graduated from Western in 1971 with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and won the Gold Medal for academic achievement. In 1971, Lynn began a fruitful 17 year career with Proctor & Gamble (1971-1988), along the way fulfilling the roles of Brand Mangager and Associate Advertising Manager, and rising to the level of Manager of Media and Promotion Services. In 1990, Lynn struck out on her own, founding her successful marketing strategy consultancy, Strategy Plus Consultants, which she ran for 15 years (1990-2005), pausing only to serve as Marketing Director at Labatt Breweries of Canada (1997-2000), and to attend Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government (2000-2001). Lynn graduated from the Kennedy School in 2001 with a Master of Public Administration, a dream fulfilled. Between 1996 and 2005, Lynn devoted considerable time to serving as a volunteer member of the Board of Directors of the Princess Margeret Hospital Foundation (later renamed the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation). In 2005, she joined the Foundation full-time, serving as Vice President, Community Programs (2005-2012), and Vice President, Internet and Social Media (2011-2013). Lynn was greatly fulfilled by her work with the Foundation, relishing the opportunity to apply her considerable private-sector marketing and management experience towards a cause so dear to her heart. From 2002 until 2010, Lynn served as a part-time faculty member at Ryerson University's Chang School of Continuing Education, teaching evening classes in interpersonal communication. Lynn enjoyed relaxing at the family's Georgian Bay cottage, participating in her book clubs, cooking, shopping, and travelling, especially to Paris. The family would sincerely like to thank the exceptional medical and nursing staff at the Princess Margaret Hospital and at the Kensington Hospice for their dedication, compassion, understanding, and professionalism during Lynn's treatment, and for their commitment to her comfort and dignity during her final weeks. Lynn leaves behind many dear friends and colleagues in the Greater Toronto Area, Georgian Bay, Western Canada, Massachusetts, New York, Florida and Spain. The family will receive friends at the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME A.W. MILES CHAPEL LIMITED, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue) from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 28. A Memorial Service will be held in the LAWRENCE PARK COMMUNITY CHURCH, 2180 Bayview Avenue, Toronto on Tuesday, April 30 at 11:00 a.m. A Celebration of Lynn's Life will be held at a later date. If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation Fund, www.thepmcf.ca or to the Kensington Hospice, The Kensington Foundation, www.kensingtonhealth.org. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com. Lynn, you are forever in our hearts. We will miss you. May you rest in peace.