Elizabeth Gibb

Elizabeth passed away at the age of 77. She was born in Brandon, Manitoba, the eldest daughter of Thomas and Elsie Clive (both deceased). She left behind to celebrate her life: her husband Bill, son Kurt Davidson (Jacqueline Mitchell) of Montreal, daughter Kelly Hudson (Michael) of Ottawa, sister Peggy McPherson of Carberry, Manitoba grandchildren Kevin, Shanise and Shane Davidson, Ronisha Edwards, David and Michaela Hudson and nieces in Western Canada.

Elizabeth left Brandon at 17 and lived in Winnipeg and Selkirk, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia. During this time she married Ken Davidson and had two children, Kurt, and Kelly. In 1968 the family moved to Aberdeen Scotland where she lived until 1971. She then returned to Brandon a widow with 2 children. She was accepted as a mature student at Brandon University in 1971, and completed her BA in 1974.

In 1974 she married Bill Gibb (whom she had met in Scotland) and the family moved to Denver Colorado, for a short time, then to Montreal. In 1982 she graduated with a Masters of Library Science from McGill University and became a reference librarian and subsequently head of reference at the Schulich Library of Science and Engineering at McGill. In 1989, the family moved to Ottawa when Bill obtained a position at the University of Ottawa, but Elizabeth continued to work at McGill and commuted between Montreal and Ottawa by Greyhound bus weekly for over 20 years. She retired from McGill in 2006.

Elizabeth was a voracious reader, enjoyed crossword puzzles, word puzzles and was an ardent movie-goer. She loved nice clothes, shoes and her Westie Maggie-Mae. She enjoyed talking with friends and neighbors, taking care of her small garden, taking long walks and her work as a librarian. She was a very determined and focused person who fiercely protected her family. Her eye for aesthetics was unparalleled.

During her progress through Primary Progressive Aphasia and other aspects of dementia Elizabeth showed her typical strength, resilience and determination, her edge staying with her until near the end. The Aphasia Centre of Ottawa provided her and Bill great support for over 6 years during this period.

The last 6 weeks of Elizabeth’s life were spent in the Ottawa Hospital General campus, during the final 5 weeks in the Transitional Care Unit in 4 West, where the nurses provided truly compassionate care for her during this trying period.

Elizabeth was a special lady who lived her life well and who will be sadly missed, but always remembered.

“There is a crack, a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in” Leonard Cohen