Elsie’s story begins in 1926 on a farm in Middlesex County in rural southwestern Ontario. She was the sixth child born to Court and Lillian Carmichael and preceded by George, Margaret, Helen, Cal, and Edith. Her younger brother, James, survived only a few months and Elsie then found herself firmly positioned as the youngest in the family.

Elsie recalled fond memories of a blissful childhood growing up on a farm.

Her early education began at home under the tutelage of her mother, a former teacher who nurtured a competitive spirit in her children by presenting all tasks as challenges to be met. Birth order may have put Elsie at a disadvantage to respond to these challenges but her competitive spirit was ignited at an early age.

Elsie’s formal schooling began in the one room school house down the road. After a late start, she joined her older siblings there. One of the students in her class was a certain young man named Don Kohl. They were the same age but Don skipped ahead a few grades and soon was leaving Pop Morris’ classroom to move on to high school. Elsie completed her elementary education in a few short years and was soon off to high school in London. Upon graduation from grade 13 she worked for a lawyer and The London Life. Elsie had basic typing skills but her true value proved to be her attention to detail and keen eye for proof reading.

It is uncertain when love blossomed for Elsie and Don, but shortly after his graduation from Western they were married on June 3, 1950. Their firstborn, Joanne, arrived a year later and by the time Susan and Bob were born they were living in a new house in Seaforth. The young couple settled into raising a family in their new community. Life was good.

Before long, Don’s career path took the family north and Elsie was soon packing up her family to establish a new life in Sudbury. There was a second northern stop in Sault Ste. Marie two years later. With each move Elsie adapted by focusing on creating a home for her family. She made new friends and took part in the life of the community. Winters in the north were filled with outdoor activities and many warm memories.

In 1962, Elsie packed up one more time for a move that would bring the family back to southern Ontario. They moved into a new Shipp-built home in Applewood Heights in Cooksville. Barb was born in 1963 and the family was now complete. The dreaded moves were finally behind them when the family relocated a few blocks away to a house on Parthia Crescent just steps from the elementary school. The family could finally put down permanent roots.

Friendship and support came from across the street. The Browns were also raising four young children of similar ages. Florence and Elsie were the real housewives of Parthia Crescent who met for coffee every Monday morning. The families grew alongside each other sharing both good times and bad.

Elsie found a place in the choir at St. Lukes-on-the Hill United Church and made lasting friendships there. She worked tirelessly alongside the other women of the church to prepare for the annual church bazaar. As a result, she soon acquired both knitting and quilting skills. Both became quiet pastimes in later life and helped to keep her hands busy.

Elsie was always ready for a game of bridge. She was a keen competitor who loved the challenge of the game. Over the years she spent many hours with friends and family playing bridge and winning!

Elsie was dedicated to her family and ensured that her children were raised in a home that was filled with family, friends, laughter and love. When it was time for the children to leave the nest, Elsie gave them wings to fly. As they began to build their own lives she welcomed each new member into the family circle with a warm smile and open arms.

When Elsie faced challenges in life she did so with a strong resolve and a quiet inner strength. She and Don shared many years together but when he died shortly after their 50th wedding anniversary Elsie was left to pick up the pieces of her life.

In the years that followed Elsie began to travel. Together with Susan, Barb and Barb’s husband Bob, she set out to see the world. They visited countries in Europe and Africa as well as many places in the States. Elsie gamely took part in each adventure.

When it became clear that the seeds of dementia were making it difficult for Elsie to live on her own she reluctantly agreed to a move to assisted living at Beechwood Retirement Home. A fall after her 93rd birthday left her with a broken hip. For someone who had always chosen running over walking, and independence above all, this was a life altering event.

Elsie spent time in hospital after her surgery and just as the world was thrust into full Covid closures Elsie came to live at Silverthorn Care Community. Her family will be forever grateful to the staff at Silverthorn who cared for her, sat with her and sang with her. They let her know she was not alone. She died peacefully with family by her side on February 23, 2024.

Elsie is predeceased by her husband Don, all her siblings and all her in-laws. She will be missed by her children Joanne (Steve), Susan, Bob (Marissa), Barb (Bob); grandchildren Sarah (Colin), Matt (Karyn) and Mike (Lena), Dane (Lindsay), Josh, and Katherine: and great-grandchildren Evelyn, Elliott, Alyse, and Mia. She leaves many Carmichael and Kohl family connections.

A celebration of Elsie’s life will take place at Applewood United Church, 2067 Stanfield Road, Mississauga on Saturday, March 9, 2024 at 2 pm with Visitation at 1 pm.

Elsie will be returning home to Ilderton. She will be buried alongside her husband, Don at Medway Cemetery across the road from the family farmhouse where her story began.

Please use the following information on the day of the service once the Zoom Link is available:

Celebration of Life for Elsie Kohl
Mar 9, 2024 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81742810208?pwd=CWWcfPiYUJYXa8yiIzEEF02Zgr7R9d.1

Meeting ID: 817 4281 0208
Passcode: 131882

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