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It is with sadness and gratitude for her life that we announce the peaceful passing of Elizabeth Dries of Chatham, ON, on January 12th, 2024, surrounded by family at the Chatham-Kent Hospice.
Liz was born in Chatham to Finlay and Jean MacDonald, where she attended Queen Elizabeth II Public School and later John McGregor Secondary School. She enjoyed being a cheerleader there, and was a diligent student, completing both her homework and that of fellow classmates. She went on to study English at Western University and followed in her father’s footsteps, making education her chosen career. Liz began classroom teaching at John N. Given Public School and ultimately transitioned to special education, where she helped students over the balance of her 35 year career at several schools across Chatham-Kent. Each school brought with it a new group of teacher colleagues who became dear friends.
In 1977, Liz and Ed Dries were married, beginning a 47 year partnership and a family that came to include daughter Stephanie and son Adam. It was her joy to take time away from teaching to be home with them in their early years, and later to see them build families of their own, Stephanie with Gord in Chatham, and Adam with Sara in Calgary. The addition of grandchildren made life complete; she was a loving grandma and ‘first best friend’ to Finlay, Hayden, and Fiona Duff, and Helena and Stella Dries.
Liz had a busy, full life that she loved; in their retirement years, she and Ed enjoyed winter trips away and cruises, at home she was forever juggling lunch dates, coffees, and walks with friends. A good day started with reading the Globe and Mail, formulating opinions on current events (material for a lively lunch discussion) and solving Wordle. She relished a good ‘treasure hunt’ at thrift stores with friends and was a stalwart member of a monthly book club for nearly 45 years. Liz had a ‘happy place’ at the family cottage in Amberley, ON, where beach days turned into sunsets over Lake Huron. She adored spending time with her grandchildren, hosting tea parties, baking with them, and teaching them skating and phonics with equal enthusiasm and skill.
Liz is survived by her brothers Rod (Wendy) and Jim (Joanne), both of Guelph. She was also a special sister-in-law to the late Charlie Dries (late Sandy), the late Joe Dries (late Terry), JoAnne Sullivan (Ron), Elaine Dillon (late Dan), the late Ray Dries (Lorraine), the late Helen Dries-Cree (David). She was an aunt to many nieces and nephews living far and wide, all of whose lives she followed with interest.
In lieu of flowers, with gratitude for their wonderful care of Liz in her final days, the family encourages contributions to the Chatham-Kent Hospice, or alternatively to Pet and Wildlife Rescue (PAWR), in honor of Liz’s love of animals.
Cremation has taken place and family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of Liz’s life at The Links of Kent on Sunday, February 23rd, 1-4pm.
2025
Life Transitions Burial and Cremations Service Inc
Death notice for the town of: Chatham, Province: Ontario
death notice Elizabeth Dries MacDonald 2025
obituaries notice Elizabeth Dries MacDonald 2025
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Elizabeth Dries MacDonald 2025 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
