Obituary for Elizabeth Wills
Elinor Elizabeth Wills (Orr) – known as Liz
Friday, October 13th, 1944 – Thursday, March 30th, 2023
Our beloved, Elinor Elizabeth “Liz” Wills passed away peacefully on March 30, 2023 at Vancouver General Hospital. Her sister Helen, husband David, son Bryan, daughter-in-law Marne, and best friend Carol were with her at the time.
Liz was born in Brookeborough, Northern Ireland, the second child and first daughter of Wilfred and Phyllis Orr. The family later moved to Keady and Liz attended high school in Armagh. Liz then trained as a physiotherapist in Belfast; a career choice based on attending a career fair where she found the physiotherapists were the most fun people at the fair.
After working in Belfast Liz moved to London to work at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square. It was there she met her lifelong friend and “second sister”, Carol Adam, who arrived at the National Hospital a week after Liz. Less than a year later Carol’s parents sponsored Liz in a move to Vancouver where Liz worked at Vancouver General and made many other lifelong friends.
Liz returned to London in 1972 where she met her future husband David Wills. In early 1973 Liz accepted a proposal from David to “get married and move back to Vancouver”. A move they made in 1974. Their son, and only child, Bryan, was born in 1976.
In 1982 Liz completed a degree completion course at UBC qualifying for a B.Sc. in Rehab Physiotherapy. Liz had a number of physiotherapy positions in Vancouver, her last was working at a pain management clinic, a position she was well prepared for having experienced back pain and three back surgeries since her time in Belfast.
Liz retired in 2005 after receiving her cancer diagnosis and her first cancer surgery. Much of Liz’s time in retirement was spent volunteering for the Vancouver Hospice, originally helping with the fund-raising galas and working at the Vancouver Hospice store and more recently she organized the production of the greeting cards sold at the store. All the while Liz was receiving expert care from her medical team at the BC Cancer Agency and Vancouver General.
Liz was devoted to her family, including her mother Phyllis, her sister Helen, and a wealth of cousins, nieces and nephews. Many of her happiest moments were spent with her three grandchildren, Bronwyn, Isla and Declan.
Liz had a special gift for making and maintaining friends. She treasured her friendships and loved to stay current with the activities and interests of all her friends both in Vancouver and around the world. She enjoyed every opportunity to connect with her friends through dinner parties, socializing with nibblies, trips to Yellow Point Lodge, and long walks on Spanish Banks. Staying in touch with old friends was also important. Liz participated in regular Zoom sessions with her friends from her time at VGH in 1970-72 and monthly Zoom sessions with her friends in Northern Ireland from her days in physiotherapy school in Belfast.
Liz was universally regarded as a kind and wonderful friend and will be missed by many.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Vancouver Hospice Society (see links below)
Here is the link for the Live Stream of the Service: https://www.legacystreaming.com/mckenzie-funeral-services/
Friday, October 13th, 1944 – Thursday, March 30th, 2023
Our beloved, Elinor Elizabeth “Liz” Wills passed away peacefully on March 30, 2023 at Vancouver General Hospital. Her sister Helen, husband David, son Bryan, daughter-in-law Marne, and best friend Carol were with her at the time.
Liz was born in Brookeborough, Northern Ireland, the second child and first daughter of Wilfred and Phyllis Orr. The family later moved to Keady and Liz attended high school in Armagh. Liz then trained as a physiotherapist in Belfast; a career choice based on attending a career fair where she found the physiotherapists were the most fun people at the fair.
After working in Belfast Liz moved to London to work at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square. It was there she met her lifelong friend and “second sister”, Carol Adam, who arrived at the National Hospital a week after Liz. Less than a year later Carol’s parents sponsored Liz in a move to Vancouver where Liz worked at Vancouver General and made many other lifelong friends.
Liz returned to London in 1972 where she met her future husband David Wills. In early 1973 Liz accepted a proposal from David to “get married and move back to Vancouver”. A move they made in 1974. Their son, and only child, Bryan, was born in 1976.
In 1982 Liz completed a degree completion course at UBC qualifying for a B.Sc. in Rehab Physiotherapy. Liz had a number of physiotherapy positions in Vancouver, her last was working at a pain management clinic, a position she was well prepared for having experienced back pain and three back surgeries since her time in Belfast.
Liz retired in 2005 after receiving her cancer diagnosis and her first cancer surgery. Much of Liz’s time in retirement was spent volunteering for the Vancouver Hospice, originally helping with the fund-raising galas and working at the Vancouver Hospice store and more recently she organized the production of the greeting cards sold at the store. All the while Liz was receiving expert care from her medical team at the BC Cancer Agency and Vancouver General.
Liz was devoted to her family, including her mother Phyllis, her sister Helen, and a wealth of cousins, nieces and nephews. Many of her happiest moments were spent with her three grandchildren, Bronwyn, Isla and Declan.
Liz had a special gift for making and maintaining friends. She treasured her friendships and loved to stay current with the activities and interests of all her friends both in Vancouver and around the world. She enjoyed every opportunity to connect with her friends through dinner parties, socializing with nibblies, trips to Yellow Point Lodge, and long walks on Spanish Banks. Staying in touch with old friends was also important. Liz participated in regular Zoom sessions with her friends from her time at VGH in 1970-72 and monthly Zoom sessions with her friends in Northern Ireland from her days in physiotherapy school in Belfast.
Liz was universally regarded as a kind and wonderful friend and will be missed by many.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Vancouver Hospice Society (see links below)
Here is the link for the Live Stream of the Service: https://www.legacystreaming.com/mckenzie-funeral-services/