Elisabeth Lugo Verhoeckx

Click Here to View Funeral Service Livestream

It is with infinite sadness and deep grief that we say our final goodbye to our beloved mother and Oma, Elisabeth Bernardina Maria Lugo (née Verhoeckx), who was born on October 27, 1939, in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, and departed from this world on April 18, 2026, at 10:25pm in Brampton, Ontario, in her 86th year.

After more than a decade of cognitive and physical decline due to Alzheimer’s disease, Elisabeth is now free from the burden of this illness. She passed surrounded by her small but loving family.

Elisabeth leaves behind her devoted daughters, Elisabeth Xochitl and Ingrid Patricia, and her cherished granddaughters, Xedar Solymar and Xiomara Akacia. She was predeceased by her loving parents, Maria Fredericka Verhoeckx Waalders (1902–1992) and Franciscus Martinus Verhoeckx (1901–1963); her dear brother, Franciscus (Frans) Verhoeckx (1928–1993); and her former husband, Carlos Lugo (1941–2023), with whom she maintained a lifelong friendship and who was the father of her children.

Affectionately known as “Bep” by her Dutch family and friends, Elisabeth was born during the Second World War and raised in Rotterdam. She and her family survived the Nazi occupation and the bombing of their city—experiences that shaped her resilience and strength throughout her life. Although her parents owned a successful hairdressing salon, Elisabeth chose a different path, pursuing her passion for education at Sint Lucia College for Teachers (1961) in Rotterdam.

After working as a teacher in The Netherlands, Elisabeth took a bold step in 1968 and immigrated to Canada, settling first in Hamilton. Inspired by a deep sense of gratitude toward the First Canadian Army for the liberation of The Netherlands in 1945, she embraced her new country with enthusiasm. In Hamilton, she continued teaching and built a vibrant social life, even joining a German cultural club where she enjoyed traditional dance and community.

It was during this time that she met Carlos Lugo, and together they began raising their family. They shared several years of adventures, experiences and love in Canada, Europe and Mexico. Years later, following her divorce, Elisabeth moved to Toronto in the mid-1970s, where she established a permanent home and raised her two daughters as a dedicated single parent.

Elisabeth went on to have a distinguished career with the Toronto Catholic District School Board, serving as a respected educator and later as a vice-principal for over 30 years. She was notably the first female vice-principal at De La Salle College, where she helped bring a progressive and inclusive perspective to the school community. Passionate about student development, she also served as a Special Education consultant and was a strong advocate for the arts, encouraging drama and creative expression in schools. She even developed a program that allowed students to travel to Kingston, Jamaica, to participate in service work with the Missionaries of the Poor.

A lifelong learner, Elisabeth earned her Master’s degree in Education from Niagara University, further strengthening her commitment to teaching and leadership.

In retirement, Elisabeth continued her dedication to service and philanthropy. She volunteered with organizations including Missionaries of the Poor in Jamaica and the Phillipines, Sleeping Children Around the World, and Foster Parents Plan, always striving to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. She also was involved in and supported various projects that served the vulnerable people in the GTA.

Elisabeth will be fondly remembered for her elegance and personal style—rarely seen without her heels and bold, one of a kind jewellery—her love of music, lively conversation, and hosting gatherings. She found great joy in volunteering, learning, reading, Friday night wine, philosophical discussions and spending time with her children and grandchildren. Elisabeth was a world traveller and visited countless countries in Africa, South East Asia, Europe, North America and the Caribbean. A woman of strong faith, she lived her Catholic values in a thoughtful and progressive way, never afraid to speak her mind.

She also loved nature and animals and spent many peaceful moments exploring Ontario’s trails and conservation areas, walking our beloved chihuahua Chiqui.

Her legacy lives on in her children and grandchildren, who will carry forward her love of celebration, curiosity, service, and connection—always with a good meal and a glass of wine shared among loved ones.

Elisabeth will be deeply missed for her warmth, her stories, and her engaging spirit.

The Lugo-Verhoeckx family extends heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Grace Manor at Holland Christian Homes in Brampton for their compassionate care over the past years, as well as to her dear and faithful friends, Liam Cameron, Mary Cosentino, and Grace Farmus, for their unwavering support.