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ELIZABETH ANNE THOMSON
Born: Mar 03, 1959
Date of Passing: Aug 13, 2014
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryELIZABETH ANNE THOMSON March 3, 1959 - August 13, 2014 Peacefully on a bright clear summer morning Liz passed away at her home overlooking Lake Winnipeg. Predeceased by her father George Thomson, she is survived by her loving mother Doris Thomson, sisters Charlin McFee, Patricia Settle and Jody Thomson. She was a loving and generous aunt to her nieces, Erin McFee, Kristin Settle, Reed Ozunko and nephew Ryan Ozunko. She dearly loved these children as her own and supported their lives and activities by attending many sporting, school and drama events over the years. Liz received her Bachelor of Arts (English) in 1980 and then completed her Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Manitoba 1983. Liz was passionate about her work as a lawyer. She started articling at Legal Aid Manitoba and joined Nozik, Sinder and Associates where she worked from 1984 until 1989. Liz has always had a love for teaching and decided to change direction with her career and went to Akita, Japan as part of the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program. Upon her return she took a position with Foundations Learning Centre and while working there obtained her Certificate in Adult and Continuing Education from the University of Manitoba. After three rewarding years of teaching she missed the challenge of Law and returned to Criminal practice by joining the Manitoba Department of Justice, Prosecutions Branch in 1995. In 2005 she felt fortunate to be seconded to the Constitutional Law Branch. In 2007 she returned to the Prosecution Branch and was appointed as General Counsel in 2008 where she took on the duties of creating a stream-lined Appeals Division. She continued in this role until her illness forced her to take a leave in late fall of 2013. Liz has been described by many as a mentor, teacher, advisor, scholar, friend and confidant. She is loved by many and will be greatly missed. A very special thank you to Julie Kumps for her kindness and care that she gave to Liz during her battle; and to Dr. S.V. Patel at the Gimli Community Health Centre. A memorial service will take place on Tuesday, August 19 at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Avenue (across from Brookside Cemetery) at 1:00 p.m. Liz was a Philanthropist and supported many charitable causes. In lieu of flowers, if so desired, donation to a charity of your choice in memory of Liz would be greatly appreciated. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 16, 2014
Condolences & Memories (7 entries)
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Liz was a member of our law class you couldn't miss -- you could hear her or see her smile. After a bit, she went off to have some adventures. She came back with stories and a new commitment to law back in Manitoba. I saw Liz rarely, but it never seemed like it had been a long time. I expected Liz to always be there. She was one of those people with whom you did not want to lose contact. My condolences to her family. - Posted by: Sherry Wiebe (Classmate Law School) on: Sep 28, 2014
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I had the good fortune of living with Liz and Jody my last year of law. Liz was able to do the work but still have time for fun. I so admired her strong bond with her sisters. Rest in Peace Liz. - Posted by: Patti Callan (Law school friend) on: Aug 21, 2014
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Liz and I were next door neighbours growing up in Blake Gardens, and we also worked together as teachers at Foundations Learning Center for 3 years, after Liz returned home from teaching in Japan. I admired many things about Liz; she always pushed herself to speak the whole truth, leaving nothing out, and damn the consequences! She cared deeply about the essence, the spirit of important ideas, and she absolutely LOVED learning (to paraphrase a movie line, "more than a shark loves blood"). When Liz worked with students, you could see a different side of her, not the fierce intellect we were all used to, instead, a softer side, a gentle soul. Her students loved her, and they trusted her. She had a student once, James, a sailor from the British navy, a helmsman, who had never learned how to write properly. He was attending a family reunion coming up, and he wanted to write about his family history, so Liz worked with him for a few months on all the family stories of his older relatives. And when James came back from the reunion we asked him how everything went. He was pretty emotional and told us that after he had presented his stories to everyone, his older aunties had all come running up to him and said, "James, finally, finally we have a WRITER in the family! " That’s what Liz could do. She was a wonderful teacher, a natural teacher. But what inspired me most about Liz was her courage; whatever came her way she pushed herself to deal with it head on, and she never, ever backed away from a challenge, no matter how daunting it was. Last April, when I was visiting her, we started talking about the case she had argued before the Supreme Court of Canada, Liz actually argued 2 cases before the Supreme Court, and she was very proud of this. So we ended up watching the actual video recording of the court proceedings, and there was Liz, sparring with the 9 judges. Again and again, all 9 of them in turn would shoot questions at her, rapid fire, and each time Liz would pause for a second, and I could see her mind at work, and then she would answer them; she was calm but compelling, convincing, it was a really gutsy performance. Even with her illness, watching the video, I could see the intensity in her, she was excited, re-fighting the battle, fire in her eyes, pointing out to me the flaws in the judges' reasoning, telling me how she had anticipated some questions but not others, how she made sure she didn’t fall into any rhetorical traps that could weaken her case. Her mental agility, her steely will, it was electric to see her in action. Liz was tough, really tough; after it was over I told her for sure, she was the toughest person ever to come out of Weston! Two of her great loves, the law and teaching. I know Liz was a great lawyer, but I also know how much she loved to teach, how natural she was at it, how her face literally glowed with compassion and enthusiasm when she engaged her students. Liz was my lifelong friend. I’ll really miss her, and I will always be inspired by her. The fifth beatitude, Mathew 5:3 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for truth, for they will be filled" Liz was filled with truth, and with love and caring for everyone around her. God bless you Liz, and may you rest in peace. Your friend, Kerry - Posted by: Kerry Woollard (Friend, neighbour, fellow teacher) on: Aug 20, 2014
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My sincere condolences to all in the Thomson family. Liz was slightly ahead of me starting in criminal law and our paths crossed in a number of cases. She was always very generous with her time and offered lots of practical advice when it was needed. I have very fond memories of her guidance. Peace to all. - Posted by: David Asper (colleague) on: Aug 19, 2014
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Sincere condolences to Liz's family and all her friends. It was a true pleasure to have worked with Liz and to have known her. Both Sandra and I will truly miss her - Posted by: Stanley Nozick (Friend and colleague ) on: Aug 18, 2014
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My deepest sympathy to the family and friends. I will always remember how kind and thoughtful Liz was and how she touched my heart. I am blessed to have had Liz in my life as a friend and co-worker. Until we meet again, Liz. - Posted by: Rhonda Robertson (Friend) on: Aug 16, 2014
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My condolences to you all at this time of loss. I will always hold in my heart the memories of us 5 girls playing in Gimli and Loni Beach. - Posted by: Dorianne (Bristow) Lafontaine (cousin) on: Aug 16, 2014
