Obituary of Elizabeth Anne Kerr (nee Pyke)
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Passed away peacefully at Luther Village on the Park, Waterloo Ont. on Wednesday September 10, 2025 in her 100th year. Predeceased by her husband of 54 years John M. Kerr, her parents Edgar and Ethel Pyke and her brother and sister-in-law, the Rev. John and Gwen Pyke. Loving mother of Peter (Yuka) and David (Sandra) and very proud grandmother (Nana) of Emily, Arran, Owen, Cameron and Vanessa.
Elizabeth was born in Toronto and knew from elementary school age that, like her father, she wanted to be a teacher. Highschool was at Humberside Collegiate where she shared many classes with one John Kerr. Elizabeth obtained her B.A. from Victoria University at the University of Toronto. She taught elementary school in St. Catherines and Timmins, Ontario before heading to teach in England and Scotland for 2 years. During school holidays, Elizabeth’s love of travelling was kindled while backpacking through Europe. This was trailblazing for women in the 1950’s. When she returned to Canada she taught advanced students in Etobicoke.
Elizabeth and John married at Trinity College Chapel in 1962. She moved to Kitchener where John was teaching and they raised their family in the Stanley Park area. Never one to sit still, Elizabeth belonged to many organizations that fed her love of learning.
A visit to a local museum and she was re-caning chairs. A conversation with a friend led to a completed gemology course. And throughout the years there were always travels with John, family and dear friends to Japan, across Europe, Scotland and to their beloved Malvern Hills in Worcestershire England.
Her secret weapon as a conversationalist was to draw out information through probing questions. Suddenly one realized they’d been talking about themselves for half an hour. And then the coup de gras: “Have you thought of travelling to England or perhaps Japan?” Or “You really must do more research on your family”. Fascinated by genealogy, Elizabeth researched and wrote a book on each of her four grandparents and their families back to the 1700’s.
A member of St. John the Evangelist church since moving to Kitchener, Elizabeth lived her faith through years of providing assistance and comfort to friends near and far. Her love of teaching kept her volunteering as an E.S.L. instructor for new Canadians into her 80’s!
Elizabeth struggled through the last few years with Alzheimers and the family would like to give special thanks to compassionate caregivers Eva and Jyoti and to Promyse Home Care and Luther Village second floor staff for their dedicated care.
The Anglican Church of Canada service will be conducted at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Friday, September 19, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. The service will be live-streamed on the funeral home’s website: Here. Reception to follow in the Fireside Reception Room. Private family interment will take place at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto.
As an expression of sympathy, donations to The Waterloo Region Community Foundation may be arranged through www.erbgood.com or by calling 519-745-8445.
Memorial Service
