Elizabeth Gordon “Beth” Allsebrook died in Alicia’s Convalescent Home in Ajijic on July 1, at the age of 84.
Born November 12, 1928 in Elrose, Saskatchewan, Allsebrook was the youngest of four daughters of Alexander and Ida Baxter, Scottish immigrants to Canada. She received her grade and high schooling in Elrose, Kerrobert and Foam Lake. She studied music through the Toronto Conservatory of Music. She graduated from the Vancouver General Hospital School of Nursing in 1951.
She met her future husband, Eric Allsebrook, while on a visit with a classmate to Kaslo, British Columbia in 1951. They married on May 15, 1953.
Eric finished his degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of British Columbia in 1955. His engineering work led to moves to Shawinigan Falls, Niagara Falls, Clarkson, St. Catharines, North Bay, Edmonton, Montreal, Toronto and Montreal, before his assignments in Iran and Saudi Arabia, which lasted 17 years.
In Iran, Allsebrook did volunteer emergency nursing work and was given a gold Pahlavi necklace for her services. Her Scottish connections ensured she was invited to Robbie Burns’ and St. Andrews’ nights, which were especially enjoyable.
Allsebrook was always willing to question authority. In Saudi Arabia, where women are not allowed to drive, she became one of very few women to hold a driver’s license. She had a lively sense of humor and could pun with the best.
The Allsebrooks chose Mexico as a future place to retire during a visit in 1990. They settled here in 1993, and remained as full time residents, except for a month or so during the summers.
Music was a main part of Allsebrook’s life. She played the piano and sang in church choirs in Canada, in amateur musicals in Iran and in the St. Andrew’s church choir at Lakeside.
Her other love was playing bridge. She was a popular bridge partner in Dharan, Saudi Arabia and at the Lake Chapala Bridge Club. At tournaments in Acapulco; Puerto Vallarta; San Miguel de Allende; Penticton, British Columbia; Toronto; Montreal and Champaign, Illinois, she came within one point of acquiring the Life Master designation.
Allsebrook will be missed and fondly remembered by her husband Eric, son David Allsebrook of Toronto, son Douglas Allsebrook of Brampton, daughter-in-law Carolyn Allsebrook, her two granddaughters Emily and Kate Allsebrook, and her sister-in-law and classmate Naomi Miller.
Eric would like to add that no matter where they were in the world, Beth made a wonderful home for him.
Memorial services will be held Tuesday, July 9, 11 a.m. at St. Andrew’s in Riberas del Pliar.