Elizabeth Crean (née Grant) died peacefully at the Avery Wimbledon Care Home in London, on March 23rd 2026, aged 101. Born in 1925 in Edinburgh, Scotland, she lived a rich and adventurous life.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Gordon Gale “Bill” Crean, Canadian diplomat and Intelligence officer. She was also predeceased by her brother, Alick, who died in 1943; her brother David Grant and tragically her nephews Hugh & Fionn.
Elizabeth is survived by her brother, Charles Grant and his children Susan & Joanna, her brother David's children Torcuil & Eilidh. And her own four children, Patrick (Susan Swan), Fiona, David (Sandra Jensen), and Alix (Paul Tidmarsh); her granddaughter, Catriona (D’Arcy Hunter); great granddaughter, Isla; and her nephew & nieces from Bill's side of the family, John Crean, Jennie Davidson, Susan and Trish Crean.
She led a peripatetic life as an ambassador’s wife, managing official Canadian residences with great flair in Belgrade, Paris, Rome, and Bonn. A gifted linguist, she became fluent in Serbo-Croatian, French, and Italian. Following her husband’s death in 1976, she moved to the UK, living in Edinburgh and then settling in Framlingham, Suffolk, where she spent decades volunteering with the Citizen’s Advice Bureau. She had a wonderful appetite for life and friends, infused with much fun, laughter and a love for parties.
A memorial will be held at St. Michael’s Church in Framlingham, Suffolk at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday August 1, 2026. All welcome.
In lieu of flowers, if wished, donations can be made to Médecins Sans Frontières, directly to https://www.msf.org.uk or through the JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/page/alix-tidmarsh-3
I would like to get hold of Susan whymark as she requested messages in the Times obituary about Elizabeth Crean via an email address that is not valid. Susanwhymark.co.uk Please send correct email address as I knew Elizabeth Crean and have memories to share.
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