In Memoriam
by Elizabeth ~ July 17th, 2010. Filed under: General.Mary Forrest George ~ Elizabeth Thornton
Mary died on July 12, 2010 at Victoria General Hospital. She was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, on January 24, 1940.
She leaves to mourn, Forbes, her beloved husband of 51 years, her three sons, Stephen, (Valerie), Peter (Tamara), Tom (Dan), and grandchildren Kaitlin, Megan, Robert, Nicholas, and Zoë.
Mary was a woman of many gifts. She was a primary school teacher in Scotland, started her own nursery school in Aberdeen, then, on coming to Canada, continued her career in education by teaching elementary school for some years. Always active in her church, she became Pastoral Assistant in First Presbyterian Church, Winnipeg, a position she said was the “best job ever!” She left this position after eleven years to become a full-time writer. One of her passions was history which she nurtured by earning an Honours Classics degree at the University of Winnipeg and by becoming Classics Gold Medalist. Her love of history was also revealed in the twenty-seven historical romance novels she wrote that were published under the pen-name, Elizabeth Thornton, her mother’s name, gaining her a reputation as an international best-selling author.
Above all these career successes, however, what shone through in her life was her love for her family: her husband and her three sons, their respective partners and her five grandchildren. Mary was for many years an active elder in First Presbyterian Church, a church and people she loved.
Our heartfelt thanks go to Doctors Griffin and Paul, nurses Dana and Suzanne, and all the staff of 4 South at Victoria General Hospital.
Please, no flowers, but donations may be made in Mary’s memory to the Canadian Liver Foundation or the Winnipeg Humane Society.
Respecting her wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 62 Picardy Place, Winnipeg, R3G 0X6, on Friday, July 16 at 11:00 AM. The Rev. Dr. Bruce Miles officiating.
July 17th, 2010 at 9:39 pm
My heart gave a great big lurch when I read that Mary had passed away. My sister died of liver cancer several years ago — liver diseases are no small matter.
My deepest sympathy for Mary’s family! She wrote wonderful love stories and we readers will miss her.
Maureen near Tacoma, WA
July 19th, 2010 at 12:54 am
It was a very sad thing to learn that Mary has passed on. She will be remembered and missed by her readers, and, most of all, her loving family, to whom we extend our deepest sympathy.
Such imagination and grace, she had.
July 20th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
My sincere condolences to Mary’s family. Her books are among my favourites and I and all her readers will miss her.
July 23rd, 2010 at 6:06 pm
I’m very sad to learn this news… All my toughts and my prayers to her family. I’m French and she had very kind words to me. I forgot all my concerns with her wonderful stories; her passage in this life leaves me a soft and deep imprint.
July 28th, 2010 at 1:09 am
I’m so sorry to hear the news of Mary’s passing. I enjoyed her books so much! My sympathy to her family and friends.
July 28th, 2010 at 4:30 pm
I was so shocked and sorry to read of Mary’s death. She was such a wonderful writer. Many of her books are among my all time favorites that I’ve re-read many times. Condolences to her family and friends.
July 29th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
One of my all time favorite authors. And she will remain so! Condolences to all in her life.
Cheryl
July 30th, 2010 at 1:42 am
I cannot express the sadness I feel. She will be sorely missed and leaves a great void. For so long she has been a part of my life through her books - my very favourite author. I always looked forward to her next book and have a collection of them. I have re-read them from time to time while waiting for her next book. She seemed to be a wonderfully warm and caring person.
My sincere condolences to her family and friends.
August 2nd, 2010 at 7:01 pm
What a grave loss! I have been looking to this blog to keep track of the upcoming novels and was devastated to learn of Elizabeth Thornton’s death. I own a whole collection of novels written by her that I often re-read, and was eagerly looking forward to her next. I also used to loved reading the tidbits of information she provided on her blog, especially her recommendations on other books and movies. I will miss her writing very much.
With condolences,
Renu
August 6th, 2010 at 2:36 am
I’m so sorry to find out that my most favourit author has passed away. I have always been transported to other places by her vivid imagination. Though I have never met her, her grace and kindness has shone through every story she has written.
May God bless her and her family.
August 8th, 2010 at 1:58 am
It was with great sorrow and shock to read of Mary’s passing in July.
I too suffered a loss in July and my heart goes out to her family. Today I was in a bookstore looking to see if anything new had been released- it would seem that from her blogs that her readers may be blessed with one more book this fall. She was a fine lady and romance and history readers will miss her stories.
August 9th, 2010 at 9:34 pm
I had the greatest pleasure of meeting Mary a few years past at a book signing. What a gracious lady - What a talent!
You will be sorrowfully missed Mary, but you have left us a wonderful legacy, and for it I thank you.
To your family - As your wife, mother, and best friend, I sympathize in your great loss. Thank you for giving us a chance to know her through her words and presence, by sharing such a wonderful lady.
Mona
August 11th, 2010 at 11:23 pm
I had no idea that she had passed away. I opened up the site to see about any new releases. I just want to say how sorry I am to her family. I love her books and have been reading and rereading them for years. She will be missed. Again, so sorry for your loss.