It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Ann Elizabeth Swift of Furdale, Saskatchewan. Elizabeth, as she was known to everyone, passed away at Sherbrooke Community Centre, Saskatoon.

Elizabeth was born in Penistone, near Barnsley in South Yorkshire, UK. The extended Swift family had lived in Penistone for many generations. Even after having lived in Canada for almost 60 years, anyone speaking to Elizabeth would immediately notice that she had not entirely lost her South Yorkshire accent.

In September 1966, Elizabeth emigrated to Canada, settling in Dawson Creek, BC. During the mid to late 1970s she moved to Saskatoon, where she studied German at the university. Her son, James Edward Swift (known as Edward) was born 11 August 1982.

In 1991 Elizabeth and Edward travelled to the UK. They spent several years in Matlock, Derbyshire, where Elizabeth taught languages. It also gave them an opportunity to spend time with Elizabeth’s parents and sister, who had all moved to Scotland. Ultimately, Elizabeth did not particularly enjoy teaching in the UK and was missing her life in Canada, so they returned to Saskatoon after a few years.

In the mid-1990s Elizabeth met Bernard Hayes, who was a veterinary surgeon, originally from the UK, and they married. Bernard passed away in 2018 and tragically, in August 2022, Edward also passed away.

For 40 years, Furdale was Elizabeth’s beloved home, a place where she embraced the quiet beauty of her surroundings. As editor of the Furdale Flyer, she took great pride in keeping the community connected and informed. Elizabeth had a deep love of animals—especially her horses. Her affinity for nature was evident in the joy she found tending her garden and in the gentle way she welcomed the deer that wandered through her yard, often watching them from her front window. Elizabeth embraced every season Saskatchewan offered, from the warmth of summer to the crisp stillness of winter. With a smile, she would tell others that –40°C “wasn’t really that cold,” always insisting that even the coldest winters were beautiful.

Cherished Memories Funeral Services is honoured to have been entrusted with Elizabeth's care and arrangements.