It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of one of the founders of Eldercare Foundation, Elizabeth “Liz” Laugharne, who died on November 26, 2025, at the remarkable age of 102.
In 2024, we had the privilege of interviewing Liz in her home, where she lived independently until very recently. Sharp, spirited, and full of humour, Liz reflected on her extraordinary life with gratitude. “I’ve been so fortunate with the people I’ve met and the places I’ve been,” she said. “I’ve had an amazing life.”
Liz’s connection to Eldercare began in the late 1970s, when she was hired by then-President Jack Howard as Assistant Director of Nursing for the Juan de Fuca Hospitals – four newly established long-term care homes: Glengarry, Aberdeen, Mt. Tolmie, and The Priory.
“I learned more in my years at Juan de Fuca Hospitals than you’ll ever imagine,” she recalled. Although she had already worked as a nurse in a Panamanian hospital, as a diabetes educator, and as a clinical researcher, she admitted she knew little about seniors’ care at the time; it was, after all, the early days of gerontology.
“I was the facilitator, not the doer,” she said with characteristic humility. “I won’t take congratulations for the ideas I had, because it was my colleagues who really brought it all to life.” Among those colleagues was Jeanette Funke-Furber – still a long-standing Eldercare Board Member – of whom Liz said, “Jeanette really knew geriatric care and had a passion for the rights of elders and for her profession.”
Her years at Juan de Fuca gave Liz deep insight into the needs of older adults. “I came to the realization that I would do anything to make life better for seniors in care,” she said. “And if that meant fundraising, so be it.”
In 1982, Jack Howard approached her with a now-historic request: “Liz, we need a foundation to enhance care for residents in long-term care, and you are going to arrange the first board meeting.” Liz remembered replying in disbelief, “I beg your pardon?” Yet she dutifully stepped up. The first meeting of what was then the Juan de Fuca Hospital Foundation – later renamed the Eldercare Foundation – was held in the garden at Aberdeen Hospital.
“I put up displays and arranged a guest speaker,” Liz recalled with amusement. “To entice people to attend, I organized a draw for a two-night stay at the Qualicum Beach Hotel. Everyone contributed to the pot, but tickets weren’t selling as fast as I hoped, so I bought one. Guess who won? Yes, me. I was so embarrassed I gave the prize away!”
From that humble beginning, the Foundation flourished. “We never looked back,” Liz said. “Eldercare has grown so much since then.”
Throughout her long life, Liz championed countless causes and gave back to her community in immeasurable ways. She deeply understood the importance of foundations in care settings and supported them wholeheartedly. “Foundations have a specific role in putting the icing on the cake,” she liked to say. “And everybody knows a cake isn’t worth a hoot without the icing.”
Liz’s legacy continues to shape Eldercare today, and her passion for improving the lives of seniors lives on in the work we do.