Elizabeth Naomi Hearn

I am sad to report that our Mother, Elizabeth Hearn (AKA Betty), passed away on February 26,2022 at the Mountain View Manor in Delta, BC.

Born in Victoria, BC on April 11th 1926, she was a 5th generation Victoriaite, with family going back on her Mothers side to Charles and Isabella Ross of fort Victoria and cemetery fame.

Her father, Danial Hobart Stevens was Pennsylvania Dutch with a farming and mechanical background that served their family well through the great depression and second world war.

Our mother was predeceased by her younger brother Daniel Ross Stevens (AKA Sonny) three years ago. They were very close, and carried on a long friendship that lasted all through their lives, and both were actively

involved with and much loved by the other's children.

Our mother met and married Jock Hearn from England. They both traveled first to a post war France and then England. Eventually they moved back moved to Kitsilano Vancouver where Jock studied first art and then eventually psychiatry.

They long had a rocky relationship and eventually divorced in the early 60's, where our father moved to the US, and Mom stayed on to raise 4 children on her own; Mavis, Catriona, Ian and Gavin.

With help from her brother and sheer industriousness of her own, she managed to buy a large 3 story rambling farmhouse on a double corner lot in what was then a pretty rural Burnaby, on the corner of Elsom St. and Burke Ave.

Those early days were tough, with not a lot of money around, but we always felt well cared for and loved. Although we would often not see much of her due to her working night shifts or two different jobs, she always left us cooked dinners and instructions on how we were to look out for each other. She was famous for her homemade bread and cinnamon buns that she often baked late into the night after she got back from work.

She was also an enthusiastic gardener.  We always had lots of fresh veggies and fruit with 2 large cherry trees in the backyard, along with blackberries and plums. It was the late 60's and early 70's and things were much more relaxed and casual. There were always people coming and going with the latest music playing in the background. Lots of cats, dogs and other pets were also part of the backdrop. Mom was much influenced by her early exposure to art and maintained a close friendship with many in Vancouver's early art scene. Her cousin and closest friend, Rosemary Davis was often there, chatting and drinking strong coffee late into the night.

Eventually she ended up getting a job working in the social services field, forging more friendships and looking out for many of Vancouver's less fortunate children. She was able to retire early and moved to an iconic round house on Mayne island were she continued to follow her passion of gardening, forging yet more friendships, and enjoying life close to the sea that was such a big part of her early childhood.

She was independant,capable and strong willed, but also big hearted and generous. She could be both fun loving and stern, shy and bold. A person with a forever curious mind and an adventurous spirit, she will be sorely missed. But she has also gone to a place where she will be happily welcomed.

Elizabeth Hearn truly earned her stripes as part of the "Greatest Generation".

She had a green burial ceremony with immediate family in the woodlands section of the Royal Oak burial grounds in Victoria. She was buried in the Woodland section, section # 4/ plot 18. The staff at Royal Oak can help you find the spot.

Mom always had concern for other people. She was born in a time between wars. We are currently witnessing the latest eruption in Europe. Please forward any donations you may have been considering to the relief efforts in the Ukraine.