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 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
www.mccallgardens.com
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Elizabeth Maria Ryan November 8 1936 April 6 2021..
mccall gardens funeral and cremation service
Décès pour la Ville: Victoria, Province: Colombie britanique