Elizabeth Gordon, age 81, of Webb, Sask, passed away June 21, 2024 at The Meadows in Swift Current with her daughters by her side. Elizabeth Ann Fiddler was born May 12, 1943 in Gull Lake Hospital to Magnus and Clara Fiddler. She was the first born followed by Dot, Bob and David. Liz, as she was more commonly known, grew up on the farm in the Clairbank District riding her horse to the country school, St. Clair.
She loved school and learning, which was a theme throughout her life. She often spoke fondly of happy family gatherings and the important role cousins, aunts and uncles all played in her life. In addition, she had a special bond with her Scottish granny who lived with the family. As the country school only went to grade 8, Liz had to leave home at the early age of 13 since she had advanced a grade. She took up room and board in Swift Current and began grade 9 at SCCI graduating in 1960.
Following high school, Liz worked at the Royal Bank and Swift Current Union Hospital. On April 7, 1961, she married Arthur Gordon from Webb at Knox United Church. They took up residence and began their life at the Gordon Family farm being the third, soon to be fourth generation to live there. Beverley was born in 1962, followed by Kathy in 1964. Liz was active in the Webb Community. She was involved with Grant Memorial Church teaching Sunday School and leading CGIT. She served on various boards, committees and organizations including the first Webb Recreation Board in 1969. Liz enjoyed curling in winter, especially the social aspect of the game. Her winters were often spent doing jigsaw puzzles and playing Scrabble, which she played right up to this spring. She was pretty unbeatable and proud of it!
Always a voracious reader, she was most happy surrounded by books. For many years, she was a seamstress, sewing all of our clothes right down to the blue jeans. She sewed many graduation and bridesmaid dresses. She was artistic, producing many oil and water colour paintings. In 1974, Liz bought a kiln and became a certified ceramic instructor, which saw many late nights and visiting with local women who were taking lessons. Like her granny, Liz knit and crocheted any spare moment she had. She also was a collector of antiques and vintage items being a regular customer at MCC and Salvation Army. Liz belonged to the genealogical society in Swift Current. She was a wealth of knowledge regarding family history and retained her memory to the very end. The farm and her garden were her sanctuary. She was proud of everything she grew, and especially proud when her farm received organic status in 1996. She put great effort and planning into restoring the Gordon family 5th generation farmhouse built in 1926. Thanks to Liz it is now declared a heritage site.
Fortunately, Liz travelled extensively while she could. This included visiting most of the Canadian provinces including Newfoundland twice. Abroad, she discovered Ireland, England, Greece and Panama. Her most cherished destination, though, was Scotland, visiting four times. Here she felt at home. She communicated with her Scottish cousins with letters and phone calls.
In 1974, Liz began work as medical transcriptionist at Swift Current Union Hospital until 1982. She then made a very bold move to Saskatoon to begin studies at the U of S, enrolling in the College of Home Economics. She received her B.S.H.Ec in 1986 and completed her Masters in Adult Education in 1990 writing her thesis “Stress in the Farm Family”. This presented opportunities as she helped with the ground work to set up the province’s first ever Farm Stress Line. She worked as Student Counsellor at Cypress Hills College encouraging mature students that it was never too late to begin a post-secondary education. Her final position was Regional Inter-sectorial Committee Coordinator for the Government of Saskatchewan from 1998 to her retirement in 2011. Not wanting to give up academia she decided to pursue her Ph. D.
May 16, 2017, Liz’s full life took a 180 degree turn when she suffered a massive stroke 4 days after her 74th birthday. This resulted in 8 weeks at Wascana Rehabilitation Center relearning how to walk. She began a very different, often frustrating life at Riverview Estates for the next 5 years. Followed by her last year being at The Meadows where she continued to read and enjoy visits from friends and family, especially her 2 great grandchildren all of which brightened her day.
Elizabeth is predeceased by her parents Magnus and Clara, many aunts and uncles, nephew Trevor Korsberg, mother-in-law Helen Gordon, sister-in-law Marion Korsberg, first husband Arthur Gordon, and second husband Mel McNeill. She is survived by her children and grandchildren: Bev (Ken) Dutton, Kelsey (Nolan Waker), Boone and Elsa, Sean Dutton and Jaymes Dutton, Kathy Gordon (Keith McCarty), Kailey, Danny & Jacey. Her siblings: Dot (Garth) Gatzke, Bob (Val) Fiddler, David (Cec) Fiddler; Sister-in-law Gail (Orland) Korsberg; brother-in-law Larry Korsberg, as well as many nieces and nephews.
The funeral service was held at Knox United, Gull Lake on July 2nd, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. with Ken Schrag officiating.
Internment was held at Webb Cemetery. Donations in Elizabeth’s Memory to Heart & Stroke Fund or Stars Air Ambulance would be greatly appreciated by the family.
Warren's Funeral Home were entrusted with the arrangements. For further information call 306-773-8831 or 1-800-267-6606, or visit our website at www.warrensfuneralhome.com and express your sympathy on the family tribute wall.