In memory of
Elsie Parker Bearg (Downer)
July 6, 1927 - April 26, 2025
Elsie passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 26, 2025, 71 days away from her 98th birthday. She was a loving and devoted mother to Kim (Martin) Galligan and John Parker, and immensely proud grandmother to Baye and Ryan Galligan.
Elsie Florence Downer was born in Toronto in 1927 to Sidney and Dorothy Downer and grew up in the Beach with 6 brothers and a sister, a family life she described as busy and happy, attending Malvern Collegiate. She enjoyed watching her beloved brothers row out of the Balmy Beach Club, strolling along the boardwalk, and hopping onto the streetcar to work downtown at her first job with the Tea Council of Canada.
Elsie was a force of nature, with a big personality that lit up any room she entered, readily recognized by her signature bright red hair and stylish, glamorous presence. Her homes were often decorated in a favourite black and white dramatic style. Elsie was known to be a wonderful cook who loved to entertain, dine at great restaurants, and was up for any event. She was the organizer of the family reunion, and every annual female family Christmas lunch. She lived non-stop and had a passion for travel, was a great dancer, played bridge, frequented the gym and excelled in sports, especially golf at Donalda Club, then Bayview C.C., Oakdale, and The Polo Club in Florida. She won the Husband and Wife Tournament with two different husbands. Elsie often combined golf with travel, and had multiple holes in one in her 80’s, playing into her 90’s. She had a lifelong group of friends, referred to as the “Girls Club”, who celebrated many milestones together and travelled en masse to Niagara on the Lake every year to attend plays and socialize. While married to Fred Parker, with whom she had two children, then the late Hugh Bearg, and later in life as partner to the late Nathan Hennick, or while on her own, she had many cherished circles of friends who shared memorable travels and adventures. In truth, she could befriend anyone of any age or background.
Elsie’s love of fashion was central throughout her life. She entered the fashion business with Marilyn Brooks and the famed Unicorn boutiques in the late 60’s, then was a buyer for the luxury import department at Eaton’s, a vice president of Harridge’s, and proudly opened her own Elsie Parker boutiques. She often travelled to Italy, Paris, New York and California on buying trips, putting on fashion shows, and designing stores.
Elsie had a fulfilling, long, healthy life, and her energy and joie de vivre will be felt forever by those who knew and loved her.
There will be a celebration of her life at a future date.
Elsie Florence Downer was born in Toronto in 1927 to Sidney and Dorothy Downer and grew up in the Beach with 6 brothers and a sister, a family life she described as busy and happy, attending Malvern Collegiate. She enjoyed watching her beloved brothers row out of the Balmy Beach Club, strolling along the boardwalk, and hopping onto the streetcar to work downtown at her first job with the Tea Council of Canada.
Elsie was a force of nature, with a big personality that lit up any room she entered, readily recognized by her signature bright red hair and stylish, glamorous presence. Her homes were often decorated in a favourite black and white dramatic style. Elsie was known to be a wonderful cook who loved to entertain, dine at great restaurants, and was up for any event. She was the organizer of the family reunion, and every annual female family Christmas lunch. She lived non-stop and had a passion for travel, was a great dancer, played bridge, frequented the gym and excelled in sports, especially golf at Donalda Club, then Bayview C.C., Oakdale, and The Polo Club in Florida. She won the Husband and Wife Tournament with two different husbands. Elsie often combined golf with travel, and had multiple holes in one in her 80’s, playing into her 90’s. She had a lifelong group of friends, referred to as the “Girls Club”, who celebrated many milestones together and travelled en masse to Niagara on the Lake every year to attend plays and socialize. While married to Fred Parker, with whom she had two children, then the late Hugh Bearg, and later in life as partner to the late Nathan Hennick, or while on her own, she had many cherished circles of friends who shared memorable travels and adventures. In truth, she could befriend anyone of any age or background.
Elsie’s love of fashion was central throughout her life. She entered the fashion business with Marilyn Brooks and the famed Unicorn boutiques in the late 60’s, then was a buyer for the luxury import department at Eaton’s, a vice president of Harridge’s, and proudly opened her own Elsie Parker boutiques. She often travelled to Italy, Paris, New York and California on buying trips, putting on fashion shows, and designing stores.
Elsie had a fulfilling, long, healthy life, and her energy and joie de vivre will be felt forever by those who knew and loved her.
There will be a celebration of her life at a future date.