Remembering Elizabeth Ruth Good

Good, Elizabeth Ruth (Nee Roby)

Surrounded by her family at Matthews House Hospice in Alliston Elizabeth passed peacefully on August 21, 2021  She is survived by her daughter Susan, sons Stephen (Cory) and Paul (Sharleen),  grandchildren Stephen & Samantha, William & Sydney.  Elizabeth was predeceased by her loving husband Frank. Survived by her brother William Dennis Roby and his wife Teresa as well as numerous nieces and nephews who loved her. To all who knew her Elizabeth was a bright, intelligent, kind woman with an easy, hearty laugh and a quick wit.  Her passion for music, the arts and the spoken and written word were second only to her love of family.  With these influences she raised her three children to be strong, self-assured and accomplished adults.  Elizabeth’s love of classical music, opera and jazz were well known, but as an accomplished musician in her own right was able to play Mozart as easily as Guns N’ Roses, much to her son Paul’s great surprise.  She celebrated her love of the spoken word as a member of the Sunshine Speakers (Toastmasters) of Orillia, where she spoke on a variety of subjects, none so near and dear to her heart as feminism.  This life’s philosophy inspired her to pursue a degree in Women’s Studies and Psychology at York University where she graduated in 1983 at the age of 50, going on to be the Assistant to the Dean of Graduate Studies at York, retiring in 2001.  She shared so much with so many, and while she was always teaching she too was a perpetual student of life.  A voracious reader she was never without a book; loved her book clubs and was happy to recommend and loan her latest discovery to others and was always up for a well played game of scrabble.  Elizabeth could speak with an informed opinion upon any subject with anyone.  More than anything she was a collector of stories.  Her comfortable and welcoming presence inspired others to share their life history and stories with her over a cup of tea or as likely an ice filled glass of wine.  She was self effacing and far less interested in telling her story, rather preferring to immerse herself in the tales of those with whom she surrounded herself, she made friends easily.  She delighted in the success of others and specifically sought to empower women.  Her daughters-in-law recall with great fondness their Mother’s Day calls enquiring what she might do for them as they cared so deeply and so well for her grandchildren.  In all ways she was truly a lady.  Elizabeth had a sense of decorum and grace, welcoming all to her home, ensuring that they knew they belonged.  With this decorum she taught her children that manners were important “you never know when you could have lunch with the queen”, and of course she was right when Susan had lunch with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth at the Queen’s Plate.  She had style!  She dressed well and surrounded herself with beauty from her home to her gardens.  Her love of natural beauty inspired her son Stephen’s landscaping career and her precision as a book keeper kept him on his toes for years!  She was complex and well rounded.  She was a Renaissance woman. Elizabeth was not without her challenges; with her tenacity she faced and defeated cancer more than once.  She lost the love of her life Frank and carried on in his absence for 4 years.  If she had one regret it would be all the things she never learned and all the places she would never go once she left us.  We take great comfort in the knowledge that she is free to go where she wishes on her journey, to learn new things and check up on us now and again.

Cremation has taken place and a celebration of Elizabeth’s life will take place at the Doolittle Chapel of Carson Funeral Home 54 Coldwater Street E., Orillia, Ontario 705-326-3595 on Friday October 21, 2022. Visitation will start at 10am followed by a service in the chapel at 11am. A reception luncheon will take place following the service. Following the reception Elizabeth's ashes will be taken to her final place of rest with her husband Frank at St. Andrew's- St. James Cemetery in Orillia. Donations in Elizabeth’s name may be made towards The Canadian Cancer Society or the Alzheimer’s Society and are greatly appreciated. 

Online Messages of Condolence are welcome at www.CarsonFuneralHomes.com