Enid was born in Plymouth, England, to where her Scottish parents Jane Heirs and John Liddle eloped and married. In 1940 their home was destroyed during the bombing of the Royal Navy port, while Enid’s father was absent serving in the R.A.F. Mother and daughter then returned to Scotland. Enid recalled seeing “the most handsome man in uniform” striding down the street and gathering her up – Dad had 48 hours leave before departing to India. Soon a new wee sister, Doris, appeared. These were Enid’s earliest memories.
She attended multiple schools in Scotland as a bombed out family during these unsettled wartimes, eventually training as a nurse and midwife at Glasgow’s famous Victoria Infirmary. When nursing his mother after surgery, she met future husband Jim Kirkhope – both blushing across mother’s hospital bed. They attended the same high school, their homes were six houses apart, the cost of courting was low! Jim’s “goose was cooked”. They married February 7, 1959 and soon came to Canada, January 1960.
Enid had a long, full and happy life. Beloved Enid was big Sister to Doris (Edinburgh); Wife to Jim for 62 years; Mother to Kenneth, Katherine and Robert (Fiona); Grandmother to Lucas, Nicolas, Spencer, Ewan and Lily; and loving friend to many who became “as family”: the Wilkinsons, Olive and George; the Scotts, Earllean and Don; the Hausers, Daphne and Gordon; the Foxs, Jean and Basil; the Lanktrees, Shirley and John.
Some of her favorite things: Black Magic chocolates and “mince and tatties”; canoeing – Meech, Algonquin, Superior; skiing Gatineau trails; Round Lake Resort; “Morning Has Broken”, Pachelbel Canon, Grieg Piano Concerto; Scottish Country Dancing – with Ardbrae for 40 years – anytime and anywhere, and the “Irish Rover”; RV road trips – to Alaska, Newfoundland, and beyond; the “Sally Ann” – mining for her collections of collectibles; and her beautiful garden.
As the nest emptied, Enid returned to college and re-schooled to become an RN in Ontario. She instead turned to working with developmentally handicapped adults – at day school with OSB and close friend Daphne Hauser, and in teaching social dancing in the evening with good friend and dance teacher John Lanktree. She found this work most rewarding.
She also began her 40 year association with First United Church, where she formed many close friendships and was able to extend her caregiving way to innumerable older seniors through the UCW; this later morphed into TGIF! This continued into her last years; she so enjoyed the fellowship of this group and they will sorely miss Enid.
Enid was the family archivist, researching family history, writing diaries, biographies, compiling photo albums. She left a remarkable treasury of documents and memories: family dinners, birthdays, weddings, graduations, Scottish Dance Balls, Hogmanay at her home, travels – to Scotland and beyond, skiing, canoeing, a whole lifetime – all preserved for her family to remember and enjoy, a lasting gift from this dearest woman.
My lovely tall Scots lassie with the serene composure is gone – but will never be forgotten.
With hope of improved Covid restrictions, a Celebration of Enid’s life will take place at First United Church, on her birthday in July. The family thank Dr. N. Fellegi for her caring treatment, advice, and always sensitive support during Enid’s illness. Enid’s wish was that donations be made to to her favorite charity, the Salvation Army.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Enid Alice Kirkhope Liddle Saturday February 13th 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Ottawa, Province: Ontario