Elizabeth Woolnough

Elizabeth Deirdre Woolnough

June 8th, 1964 - August 24th, 2023

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved Beth at just 59 years of age. Beth leaves her loving husband Bruce Gillespie and his sons Matthew, Stuart and Ian; mother Maureen Woolnough; siblings Athelney and Hugh Woolnough, their spouses Adam Ritchie and Laura Ankcorn; nieces Madeleine and Samantha, nephews Sebastian, Lucas and Evan; and many cousins, aunts and uncles around the world. Beth is predeceased by her dear father Keith.

Beth grew up in Montreal and was active and adventurous from a young age. Her two great passions were theatre and travel; she joined the Rathbone Theatre group as a teenager and participated in many school plays, musicals, and outings with the Girl Guides. After high school, she made a solo journey to Russia and Eastern Europe, then left Montreal to pursue a degree in journalism at Ryerson University in Toronto. After completing her studies, Beth spent a year in Australia working and trekking all over that vast country, eventually returning to Toronto where she established her life and met her soul mate Bruce.

Bruce and Beth were married for nearly 26 years and travelled widely, globetrotting and cruising to many destinations in the UK, Europe, the Caribbean, Africa, the Americas and Iceland. Bruce introduced Beth to curling, a sport she took up with zeal, competing at her local club as well as numerous regional and national bonspiels. Summertime would find Beth on the links, golfing with Bruce or anyone up for a round or two.

Beth was vivacious and outgoing, yet gentle and kind-hearted; she never forgot a birthday and always made the effort to keep in touch with her many circles of friends and relatives. Beth fostered children in war-torn and troubled nations and was an animal lover, with a soft spot for her African Grey Parrot, Peter, whom she adored.

Intelligent and quick-witted with her dad’s unique sense of sarcasm and humour, Beth touched so many lives and will be greatly missed forever.

Visiting hours will be held at the Ward Funeral Home, Weston Chapel 2035 Weston Road, Toronto, on Thursday August 31st from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 9:00 pm. Friends may visit online at Ward Funeral Homes to extend condolences to the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Beth’s name to a charity of your choice.