Elizabeth Fisher
Jul 08, 1939 – Aug 11, 2021
Elizabeth Fisher also known to the family as Tutu, “Magic” Auntie,
Sis or Mom, passed away peacefully at her home, with family by her side. Mom is survived by her son John Mcknight, daughter in law
Judy, and daughter Donna Mcknight. Her granddaughters Christina,
son in law Jim and great grandsons, Thomas and Nicholas Racette
who reside in Cochrane Alberta. Granddaughter Karen, son in law Tim and great grandsons, Hayden and Will Brand who reside in Cattai, NSW, Australia. Granddaughter Tracy Kubista who resides in Sydney, NSW, Australia. Her sister Sandra Kram (Calgary) and brother Nickolas Blackwood, sister in law Sharon (Red Deer) and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Mom was predeceased by her husband Kenneth John Fisher, her mother Elizabeth, father John, bothers George and John (Jake) and nephew Matthew and niece Tina of the Blackwood family.
Mom was born in Muirkirk, Ayreshire, Scotland. She always spoke fondly of her grandmother Elizabeth Bain, who she visited often during the second world war in Douglas, a town nearby that is associated with William Wallace. I believe mom visited the caves as a child where Wallace was known to reside during the first war of Scottish Independence.
During her youth mom participated in her local gymnastics team and competed at a local and national level. In 1954 Grandpa and Grandma Blackwood & their children emigrated to Canada after the war and moved to Mercoal, Alberta, a small coal mining town. It was during this time that Mom married Don Mcknight and gave birth to my brother John and I. After the Mercoal Mine closed in the fall of 1958 the family relocated to Canmore, Alberta to find work in the Canmore Coal Mines.
In the early sixties our family moved to British Columbia and we lived there for several years. In the early years mom worked in various hotels in the Surrey and New West Minister areas. Mom opened and ran the Cabaret at the Billie Barker Inn in Quesnel, BC, and she also organized one of the first waitress training programs during this time period.
Mom participated at the Williams Lake Rodeo on a dare and rode a bull for a full 5 seconds. It made the local Quesnel paper and she was very proud of this accomplishment. Mom was very involved in community events and was quite often mentioned for her volunteer work in the newspaper. She was the go to person even then.
While living in Fort St James BC, mom managed the Fort St James Hotel and was always hosting social events for staff and their families and chaperoned many school functions much to my dismay.
In 1974, mom, John and I moved back to Canmore after her divorce. Mom worked for the Marra family for thirty five years and she was their until the business closed. Mom was the produce manager during these years and was well known in the community. While at Marra’s mom opened the first open outdoor market and ran it for twenty years plus until the store closed. Mom always had time for people, had an open heart a willingness to listen. She was a social magnet and loved life to the fullest. In 1975 mom met and married Ken Fisher and our family
was complete. We also inherited Kens ’sister Annie and her family.
You were very special to mom.
While at Marra’s, mom managed the pancake breakfast that was held on the August long weekend during the Canmore Folk Festival for over 20 years and the pancake breakfast is still going strong today. What a legacy. A call out to Ronnie and the Bag Boys and to Ritchie and Barb Shellian and their Posse for the entertainment at these events. Mom loved every minute and we have the pictures to prove it.
In 1988 mom was a volunteer for the Calgary Winter Olympics and enjoyed this event immensely. Her brother Nick and his family stayed with mom and Ken and they went to many events as mom purchased tickets for everyone.
Mom was an avid motorhome traveler and her and Ken traveled throughout the states and Canada extensively. Mom even went to the Grand Canyon with Aunt Hannah in the motorhome while they were in in their late 70’s and eighties. Mom was fearless! On the return trip they took a wrong road by the Las Vegas airport and the state troopers had to redirect them off of the one-way highway. It’s a wonder mom was allowed state side again. Many a good time was held at Bears Paw with Pete and Sandra and the Scottish clan. I believe fish was on the menu quite often. Wink Wink.
Mom and Ken traveled broadly for many years to Mexico, Vancouver Island, Las Vegas and Disneyland. After Ken passed mom continued to travel to Mexico, Cuba, Disney Land, Hawaii, Scotland and a side trip to Spain! Mom made friends all over the world and she was always up for a Hot Tub party when living in the Larch house in Canmore. Stories are still told today. Mom was a huge Calgary Stampeder fan and her and Ken were ticket season holders for over 20 years. Many parties and social gathers with their Canmore friends were held and were very memorable although I can’t share.
Magic Auntie’s name evolved through mom’s love of music boxes.
She has a large collection and whenever the young nieces and nephews wanted to visit mom in Canmore they would say we want
to go to Magic Auntie’s house.
For mom’s 65th birthday the staff at Marra’s bought mom a voucher for a tattoo. It was the perfect gift and mom had a humming bird tattoo put on her knee. During her bought with cancer in earlier years the hummingbird represented a new lease on life and the tattoo was a constant reminder.
While living with her friend Don Ashton over the past few years in the Leduc area, her and Don spent many days on the farm, bird watching and putting out more hummingbird feeders and watching the sunset. Special hugs to the Ashton family.
To the Kubista / Faupel and Riva families, your friendship throughout the years was so very important to mom. Although related through marriage you were truly her friends to the end.
Aunt Dallas, Uncle Jock (family) were the best traveling buddies along with Darlene and Darrel Jones and Linda McGleish (Stock). The trouble they got into is best not discussed in written form. Your friendship was legendary.
Thank you to mom’s other family, the Marra’s. Mom and Ken traveled with Karen and Phil and the boys on a few occasions and became great friends. Ron and Virginia and family were always a supportive of mom and she was able to grow within their family run business. She enjoyed her time working for the family and it was the best years of her life.
To the former Mountain Haven Cooperative Family. Love the campfire singalongs and social gatherings at the community hall. Mom had a blast!
To all our B&H friends who visited mom and I over the years. We loved the lobster feast with Beth and Reenie and folk festival sleepover weekend. You gals had mom in stitches. Fun was had by all.
Thank you to Ross, Nancy and family, for taking care of mom when needed, and to all of mom’s friends up north. You all held a special place in her heart.
To Rich and Judy, our brother from another mother and his wife.
You will always be a part of our family and mom loved you both although the time with her was short.
To our Scottish family. You are always welcome in my home so come anytime. Although mom is gone in Spirit, John and I are still here along with the rest of the clan. Lily, I was just talking with mom this week about what a fantastic aboriginal dancer you are. I’m looking forward to our next dance.
To our friends and cousins in Australia. Mom was happy to meet you when you came to Canada and you are always welcome.
To the McKnight Family. Mom spoke often of you and loved you all until her last breath. Our childhood was perfect because of all of you. Thank you for coming to stay at our house. Mom enjoyed the visits and the memory sharing.
To our Quesnel family. Thank you for keeping in touch with mom over the years. Aunt Mable was and continues to be a legend in our family.
Twenty-five years ago mom became a cancer survivor. The following years were spent helping others on their journey with Cancer, giving hope, compassion and comfort where needed. Just last week mom told me the reason she survived cancer the first time is that god had a greater purpose for her and she was needed on earth to help others on their journey. Mission completed.
To my girls, son in laws and grandsons, John & Judy, you were her life. Elizabeth Fisher was many things to many people but to us she was everything. She will be sadly missed by all.
Mom’s family offer their deep and heartfelt thanks to Dr. Brandon Hone at the Ridgeway Medical clinic in Canmore, all the staff at the Canmore Hospital, Dr Aliyah Pobani and Dr Marcos at the Tom Baker Cancer Clinic, Canmore Home care team, Palliative Care team in Cochrane, Rocky View Private Health Care team in Cochrane, Darrin and Staff Gourlays Pharmacy and Ian and staff Two Pharmacy for their kindness and compassion, for the wonderful care they took of Mom , and for their friendship with her.
If friends so desire, donations may be made in her memory at the National Canadian Cancer Society. Please feel free to use the online guest book and share your memories about mom.
action.cancer.ca/en/ways-to-give/personal-donation
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Elizabeth Fisher Jul 08 1939 Aug 11 2021..
Décès pour la Ville: Canmore, Province: Alberta