Condolences to Fern Noel on the passing of his wife of nearly 62 years. Liz was a friendly face at LOC social events for many years.
NOEL , Elizabeth "Liz" (Rutherford)
Goodbye wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt
Elizabeth departed on Thursday, January 26, 2023 aged 91 in the palliative care centre in Bluewater Health Hospital. She leaves her husband of almost 62 years, Fernand Noel, daughter Diana in Port Credit and son Paul in Berlin, Germany, granddaughter Jessica and grandson Everett both in Toronto, and sister Dr .Isobel Rutherford in Oberlin, Ohio.
Predeceased are father Dr. Wilfred Rutherford, mother Grace Rutherford (Cameron), brother Donald of London, Ontario and Ian of Sarnia. Both brothers served in World War II.
Elizabeth was born in Sarnia on July 7, 1931 and attended SCITS high school before going to Queen's University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1952. She completed her Masters in Social Work at University of Toronto and worked at Sunnybrook hospital. In 1958 she travelled extensively in Europe before returning to Sarnia and joining the Children's Aid Society as a caseworker supporting families in difficult circumstances and with adoption. Even after many years many of the families she had worked with continued to recognize and thank her.
She met Fernand at a YMCA singles dance at the end of 1958 and they were married at St Andrew's Church in Sarnia in May 1961.
After a period of support for her own children she returned to work at the Children's Aid Society and then until her retirement at the local Big Sisters Association using her skills to match and support young girls with female mentors in the community.
When she and husband retired, they travelled regularly and enjoyed their life in the same home they built together almost 60 years ago.
Liz will be fondly remembered for her humble, kind, gentle, caring and compassionate temperament and her ready, warm smile.
A celebration of Liz's life will be held in Sarnia in the Spring. Donations can be made to Palliative Care at the Bluewater Health Foundation
Arrangements entrusted to Smith Funeral Home, 1576 London Line, Sarnia. Memories and condolences may be sent online at smithfuneralhome.ca
Elizabeth NOEL | Obituary | Sarnia Observer (remembering.ca)