Dear Ron
It is with great sadness and deepest sympathy that I reach out to you and the children, Tova, Simon and Jonathan on the passing of our beloved Elizabeth. Memories of joyful times together, working or celebrating the arts come to my mind, and think of her graceful presence, her incredible attention to detail and caring.
Sincerely
Katerina
April 20, 1992
It was one of the best days of my childhood, and I have Elizabeth Plashkes to thank.
Simon and I were 11. He invited me over that day, with the idea that we were going to take an inflatable raft down the tamer parts of the Rouge River which ran through the ravine that their house backed onto.
Elizabeth accompanied us, along with young Jono, Tova and her friend, and their dog Remy. Simon and I floated down the stream, while Elizabeth hiked through dense brush, parallel to our heading, keeping pace with us, and the other kids in tow. She kept watch to ensure we were safe, while still allowing us two boys a bit of adventure.
Inevitably, there was a shipwreck, and paddling turned to wading, and eventually swimming.
The river ran past the old IBM Golf Course, and was filled with the results of poor swings of IBM execs on their days off (or perhaps work days as well). After finding one golf ball at the bottom of the river, Simon remarked that his grandfather had promised him 50 cents per ball brought to him, so the search began.
Elizabeth was always nearby, in rubber boots (and in slightly shallower water), ensuring we were having a good time.
Many of the memories are fuzzy, but I recall that Simon claimed a giant fish attacked him while wading in the water, almost knocking him to his feet. I believed him but also really didn’t want to believe him. I was in the same water.
We walked through a big “sewer” tunnel that went under a road. I remember thinking that it was so interesting to see our neighbourhood from a different perspective.
Remy wanted in on the fun and jumped in the river and got soaked.
We eventually made it home and changed into dry clothes. Elizabeth suggested we have a Hawaiian-themed party. We planned to order from 2-4-1 Pizza, and I, an equal parts smart and odd child, told her that “you can get two medium Hawaiian pizzas with delivery for $13.52”. Elizabeth called them up and asked, “What can I get for $13.52?” This was an incredibly validating moment in my childhood…haha.
We all ate pizza, commented on how bad Remy smelled after his swim, and Elizabeth painted all our faces into different animals. She even painted her own face, and I was so impressed that she was happy to drive me home, looking like a literal clown.
Arriving home that evening, filled with excitement, wearing borrowed clothes and with a flamingo painted on my face, my mom grabbed the camcorder and documented the re-telling of my day.
Some other highlights:
“Jono spilled his coke.”
“We played CD-ROM which is wicked I want one”
“We played H-O-R-S-E in the driveway”
The happiness I felt that day lives with me all these years later. There are many more memories in the following decades, but this one I hold very dear. Looking back with the eyes of an adult, I realize how amazingly wonderful it was for Elizabeth to give us kids the gift of this day. There was no disappointment that we got our clothes wet and dirty, or other trivial things parents can sometimes put too much emphasis on. She knew that we were having a special experience and that washing machines exist, and clothes can be replaced. Childhood, however, is limited.
They say that the collective effort of a community shapes the growth of a child. Elizabeth was certainly a cherished member of the community that made me. She left an indelibly positive imprint on my life. She is incredibly missed.
Simon, Jono, Tova, and Ron. I am so deeply sorry for your loss. I love you all.
To Ron and Family
With grieving hearts, we wish you and your family our deepest condolences.
The Talmud states that "the righteous — even when dead — are considered alive." After a person has passed, if they continue to impact people to do mitzvot and good deeds, they are considered alive. When acts of giving and connection continue even after a person has passed, they are never really gone.
While Elizabeth may not be with us in body, she is a person who will never really be gone as she continues to be part of many people’s lives. I know this to be true, as we will never forget this wonderful lady and amazing friend.
May her memory be a blessing to all that knew and loved her.
By Dale Wainwright
Elizabeth Plashkes and I met in 1986, the year our family moved from the Annex toMarkham. Elizabeth and I were born 10 days apart and share the same horoscop esign - two Scorpios with strong personalities. Ron, Elizabeth, Phil and I became very good friends and have remained close all these years.
Looking back from then until now I think of all the things we’ve shared:
… the same fence for some of the best years of our lives between #12 and #14 David Street. Back then they were the only two houses on our little street.
… so many great dinners together and loads of laughs– too many to count! We were lucky, her and I. We’ve enjoyed the support of our wonderful spouses throughout our long lasting marriages. And we always all got along. I don’t recall a single disagreement among us. True friends.
… we worked in the same industry dragging lawyers away from their dictaphones and putting computer desktops at their fingertips. What a small world! We’d meet at Legal Tech shows in New York and Chicago over dinners.
… motherhood, with all of its ups and downs. Simon, Maggie, Tova, Jono and Natalie were a handful but they filled our lives with happiness. Tova & Maggie were best friends. Off they went to Brownie camp and Girl Guides with Elizabeth as their leader. They excelled at soccer and played on the same team. We shared their victories and their losses.(I can still hear Ron yelling.)
… numerous birthday celebrations – not just the kids’ parties, but who could forget our epic 40th aptly named The Bitches Birthday Ball! A legendary costume party in the barn, with a live band and 100 pounds of jerk chicken on the grill. We filled the barn with family and friends. The costumes were amazing! Elizabeth was a Jester and I was a Rockette. It was a blast!
… a connection with community – Elizabeth was a hardworking community leader and we loved pitching in to help organize the Markham Village Festival and the Markham Fair. Phil loved the challenge of designing the new logos. Elizabeth served on the Heritage Committee. She made sure we picked the right colour for our 1890 century home – Wedgewood blue still adorns the house today. If it wasn’t for Elizabeth I’m sure the Markham Village Train Station would have been demolished. It’s hard to believe that I waited in that dilapidated old station on cold mornings for years with no heat except for the ancient potbellied stove in the middle of the room.
… a strong sense of conservancy – we’re both tree-huggers.Together we saved 4 of 9 massive oaks at the intersection of David and Peter Street. One Saturday morning we awoke to the sound of chainsaws. We almost cried as the giant limbs were being severed. I hugged the tree that was next in line and refused to move while surrounded by some very angry tree cutters. Elizabeth called the Mayor, the local paper and the police. Check on Google Maps - they’re still standing!
… holidays, travel and family get-togethers – picnics, Halloween parties, New Year’s Eve sleepovers, hikes, camping, cottaging, trips, concerts (Shania!)…the car rally. Elizabeth piled all the kids in her car on the great adventure. Of course, they won the trophy! Pretty hard to beat Elizabeth at a challenge that involved some intelligent sleuthing.
… a passion for art. Between us Elizabeth andI have spent endless hours of volunteer time in support of those who had the talent to create, even though we could not. The Varley Gallery, Art Battle, art auctions, studio tours, art shows – the list goes on.
… the joys of our children’s lives, now with families of their own – showers, weddings, births, visits. We love them like they’re our own. Pictures of grandchildren are exchanged year by year.
No doubt all this explains why we can go months without talking but when we get together it feels like only yesterday.
I’ve always looked up to Elizabeth, quite literally. She’s statuesque with an unmatched intelligence, has an ardent passion for serving her community, saving the environment and ensuring the humane treatment of animals. I was immensely proud of her when she was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee award – so well deserved. I am truly grateful to have shared such a wonderful friendship with such a remarkable woman!
When I think of you, Elizabeth, I think of brightness - the brightness of your personality, the brightness of your intellect, the brightness of the passion you bring to the things that you find interesting and valuable. You are a force for good. I am fortunate to be your friend and colleague through Heritage Markham, Doors Open, and through your kindness in doing the formatting and design for my little book on Ontario's vanishing barn heritage. Whatever you do, you do it to the utmost of your ability, and I know that people speak about you with the utmost respect and admiration. You have enriched Markham's arts and culture community in so many ways. You are an extraordinary person, a bright light in our world.
To this day I can never forget finding my model for a community volunteer. Elizabeth Plashkes. When we came to restore and refurbish the Markham Train Station, she pitched in and made it, including the money needed, happen. Put her nose down and got to work and made us all successful. She would demur when we said 'You're the greatest.' Ever since she's been my standard. Just one of the best.