It is with a heavy heart that I share the news that Dr. Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Elliott, Founding Director of the Centre for Restorative Justice at Simon Fraser University, and recipient of the National Ron Wiebe Restorative Justice Award in 2010, passed away the morning of September 9, 2011; at home, peacefully, and in the company of her loving family.
We send our blessings to her family and many friends. She has touched many lives, and we all feel a great loss.
Liz’s work touched many lives at Simon Fraser University, the School of Criminology, and the Centre for Restorative Justice.
Yet, Liz Elliott’s work extended well beyond the walls of the University, into the lives of many many individuals, nationally and internationally; in particular, into the lives of our most vulnerable citizens in our prison system.
She will be sorely missed; yet, her legacy for the cause of restorative justice, social justice and correctional reform will remain strong.
Professor Robert Gordon, Director of the School of Criminology, Simon Fraser University, said it well:
“A warrior has fallen; it behooves the rest of us who share her commitment to pick up the banner and continue her work with greater resolve.”
I have no doubt that Liz Elliott’s tireless courage and compassion to “Be the Change you Want to See in the World” will live on in the lives of many.
In her book, Security with Care: Restorative Justice and Healthy Societies, she reflects on what she has learned through her work:
“I learned that the problems were much deeper than a flawed criminal justice system and that our work needed to begin in our relationships with each other and the natural world and, most importantly, with ourselves.”
In her final chapter she invites each of us “To Declare Yourself” to values and relationships that build and sustain health communities.
Her obituary and guest book can be found at:
http://www.legacy.com/Can/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=153543144
You are invited to send cards and notes to the Centre for Restorative Justice at Simon Fraser Univeristy. We will place the cards and notes in her office, as Liz’s office will be open for visiting in the coming week. We will then pass on all the cards and notes to Liz’s family: her husband Milt Gluppe, her son Kristofor, and her daughter Maya.
Dineamaaganik,
Belonging to Everything,
Brenda Morrison
Centre for Restorative Justice,
School of Criminology,
Simon Fraser University,
8888 University Drive,
Burnaby, British Columbia
Canada V5A 1S6
Brenda Morrison, Ph.D,
Assistant Professor,
Co-Director,
Centre for Restorative Justice,
School of Criminology,
Simon Fraser University,
8888 University Drive,
Burnaby, British Columbia
Canada V5A 1S6