Tribute

Elizabeth passed away peacefully of at her home in Oliver, BC at the age of 84.  She will be missed by many.  She is survived by her son Eric Hillmer-Mann (Nancy) and grandchildren Sarah and Colin as well as sister-in-law Nancy Hillmer and niece Heather Moss (Leon).

Elizabeth was fortunate to live a full and varied life.  Elizabeth was born & raised in Edmonton.  She began her studies with nursing at Victoria Jubilee Hospital, followed by UBC in English and Psychology, and then Vancouver Art School.  She worked in a library at an army base in Ontario and saved money for six months travel in Europe (mostly Italy) with her friend Lee.  This was the early 1950s and it was unusual to have two young women travelling on their own.

She married Guy Hillmer in 1957 and then obtained her teaching certificate.  In 1965 as a single parent she moved to Lake Cowichan, B.C. to teach elementary school three years later she returned to UBC to study for her Masters in Counselling.

In 1969 she left her studies to homestead in the Upper Squamish Valley with her new husband, architect Henry Mann, where they lived for three years in tents without electricity.  In 1972 Elizabeth and Henry sold their homestead to move to a better area for raising cattle.  They purchased the vacant McCuddy Ranch on McKinney Road near Oliver and developed the land to a 200 head ranch which they ran for the next 20 years.  Elizabeth, now living on her own, built a log house in 1998 near the ranch and then when she felt it was time to move closer to town, built her current house in Oliver in 2005.

Elizabeth’s inquiring mind was always wondering “why” and her caring spirit was always looking for ways to help others.  She was deeply concerned with the difficulties faced by those in agriculture and worked on the Farm Debt Review Board as an advocate for farmers.  She co-founded the B.C. Farm Women’s Network and her input was sought as she was invited to national meetings in Ottawa and Washington.   Elizabeth was also a hospice volunteer consoling those in their final times.

Elizabeth was a writer at heart.  She published three books and was also a columnist for a number of farm magazines.  Elizabeth kept 50 years of journals which is a wonderful legacy of her life.

A ceremony will be held at 11 am on June 22 at the Oliver cemetery, with a Celebration of Life to follow at 1 pm at 6561 McKinney Road (16 km east of Oliver).  All are invited to attend, light lunch will be provided.

Condolences and tributes may be directed to the family by visiting www.nunes-pottinger.com

Arrangements entrusted to Nunes-Pottinger Funeral Service & Crematorium, Oliver & Osoyoos.