Obituary of Elizabeth Morrison

Morrison, Elizabeth (Barden), Mrs. Murray L. May 8, 1912 … March 15, 2008. For seventy years, a resident on Sewell Street, Saint John, NB and since December 2004, a resident at The Church of St. John and St. Stephen Home. Elizabeth was born in London, England to William Harold and Elizabeth Ellen (Nichols) Barden. She was the youngest and last survivor of her siblings, Ellen, Florence, William, Harold and Leonard. Elizabeth is survived by her only child, widowed daughter, Patricia (Mrs. K.E.H. Smith, Bsc, Cd), three grandchildren: Kimberly (Heather) Smith, Murray (Shelley) Smith, Elizabeth (Barry) Galbraith and 5 great grandchildren. Elizabeth was widowed in 1975. When Elizabeth was 16, Canada advertised in a London newspaper, a five-year plan to hire domestics for the Montreal area (guaranteed employment) including round-trip transportation. In those days large homes had many domestics, usually from the UK, and were commonly referred to as the big houses. Elizabeth received her indoctrination at Canada House, London. Before she left for the colony with her stepsister, Eve, her dad reminded her she would be on her own in a strange land and that she should neither be cheeky nor too British. In Montreal, Elizabeth worked for two big houses on Red Path Lane and Montreal is where she met Murray, her future husband. Elizabeth crossed the Atlantic three times with Cunard Lines, twice with her daughter in tow. The last trip in 1939, the ship she tried to book was full so they waited for another. Later she heard the original ship had been torpedoed and sunk. Elizabeth loved Canada and most particularly Saint John. After retiring she made almost daily trips to Saint John City Market, took excursions with her quilting buddies Evelyn Logan and Eva Kilpatrick to Ganong Chocolates in St. Stephen and really looked forward to the twice annual trips to Nova Scotia to visit family. Several times a year, Judge Rod Logan, bravely treated the girls to a meal and a day out and he never forgot to and delighted in ordering an ale for her. Elizabeth was often asked how she kept so fit, to which she replied that it was good food, a daily ale, a daily slice of dark chocolate, daily errands, house work and climbing the 32 steps to her flat. For many years, Elizabeth taught at Modern Success Business College on Union Street and after retirement, she became accustomed to being approached by former students who thanked her for her firmness and dedication. For over forty years, Elizabeth was a volunteer with the Canadian Red Cross, the Church of St. John & St. Stephen Auxiliary, the Animal Rescue League, St. Paul’s Church Mother’s Association Quilters, Saint John General Hospital, Saint John Regional Hospital, and the Saint John (1985) Canada Summer Games Society Inc. She was also involved in English instruction for immigrant ladies. Elizabeth possessed many recommendations, citations and letters-of-thanks from the City and organizations to which she had volunteered. Elizabeth Morrison is resting at Brenan's Select Community Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row (634-7424), Saint John, NB, E2K 3H6, with visitation (viewing) between 12:00 and 1:00 pm on Wednesday, March 19, 2008, followed by Elizabeth’s funeral, at 1:00 pm, conducted by Rev. Dr. John Crawford of St. John & St. Stephens Presbyterian Church, at Brenan’s Chapel, followed by a reception then interment at Riverbank Cemetery, Norton, N.B. Remembrances made to Romero House, 649 Brunswick Street, Saint John, NB., or a charity of choice would be appreciated. www.brenansfh.com