Elizabeth Soler

Our adored mother and Goga, Elizabeth Soler (nee Baker), passed away peacefully on October 18, 2026 after a brief battle with cancer. She was surrounded by the most devoted husband, Arthur, who was her life partner for 56 years of marriage and her three loving children, Jonathon (Laurie), Justine (Keith Pangretitsch) and Juliane (John Trenholme).

Elizabeth was the heart, the matriarch, the rock of our entire family. She made every occasion feel special from Christmases to birthdays to weekly Sunday night dinners. The greatest joys in her life were her three children and her ten grandchildren – Willem (21), Ryan (19), Harris (18), Miles (17), Gray (14), Drew (14), Henry (12), Caroline (12), Alexandra (10) and Wallace (8). Consistent with her unwavering commitment to her kids, Goga would never miss an opportunity to be with her grandchildren, whether to watch their hockey games, dance recitals, trips to the theatre or even out to dinner. She carried a picture of them with her at all times. She was proud of their every achievement, telling them her “buttons were popping”.

Elizabeth was born on February 3rd, 1947 in Smiths Falls, and raised in Carleton Place, Ontario. The second of seven children, she learned the importance of a strong family bond from an early age. She sought adventure after high school and moved to Toronto to become a teacher. She met a Maltese man with a unique accent in 1969 and fell in love. Arthur said she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Together they took on the world, establishing their roots in Ajax, Ontario, moving to both London, UK and Brussels, Belgium, only to return back to Ajax and their cherished community.

Her siblings and in-laws were her friends and she hosted countless parties, both big and small, that grew to include her 28 nephews and nieces. Her joy of bringing people together extended past her inner circle of family to her circle of beloved friends. Her neighbours, Bridge friends, and Sorority Sisters were family to her in the truest sense. They navigated so many life moments together, raising children, giving back to their community, travelling the world, and solving each other’s problems while playing cards.

Malta was a further extension of her beloved circle. She visited the island first as an engaged woman, on her own, to meet Arthur's family, followed by countless visits over the years. She wanted to make sure her children and Canadian friends loved their extended family as much as she did.

Elizabeth and Arthur’s love for adventure and travel extended beyond Malta. Together they visited over 30 countries and shared these trips with their dearest friends and family.

With such a full life, she still devoted herself to her teaching, being an admired grade one teacher for over 30 years, and volunteering with the Girl Guides, Ajax Figure Skating Club, and the Ajax Pickering Hospital Foundation.

Elizabeth had natural elegance and style. She was an impeccable host and a gifted conversationalist. She loved the colour red, which was evident with her red nails or lips or her home decor choices. Elizabeth is irreplaceable and will forever be remembered for her warmth, her loving and generous spirit and her undying devotion to her family, friends and community.

In true Elizabeth fashion, she hoped to bring us all together to celebrate her legacy. Please join us for a celebration of life on Friday October 23rd from 1:30-4:30 pm with a service at 2:30 pm at Lambton Golf and Country Club, 100 Scarlett Rd Toronto. 

You are invited to wear a touch of red in her honour.

In lieu of flowers, our family welcomes donations in Elizabeth’s memory to either the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation (Carry the Fire Campaign) or the Ajax Pickering Hospital Foundation (donation links below):

Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation – Carry the Fire Campaign

https://thepmcf.ca/ways-to-give/memory/

Ajax Pickering Hospital Foundation

https://www.aphfoundation.ca/ways-to-give/in-memory/