Their last day together. Many happy memories of these two. Often ending up in a pub for a drink!!
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Elizabeth Margaret Rose Pursall (7 Mar 1937 - 9 Mar 2020)
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In loving memory of Elizabeth Margaret Rose Pursall who sadly passed away on 9th March 2020
Elizabeth Pursall Obituary
7th March 1937 - 9th March 2020
Elizabeth Margeret Rose Beecroft was born on the 7th March 1937. Born, the daughter of Agnes and Cyril Beecroft and sister to Harry Beecroft. their parents were green grocers and lived in the village of Spital, Chesterfield, Derbyshire. Elizabeth lived in the family home up until she left at a young age to pursue her dreams in dance.There were many childhood memories, spent in their home and the family shop, especially eating sweets. Elizabeth, even at a young age was no stranger to mischief, often hiding to miss the school bus so that her father would have to drive her in the car.
Elizabeth was inspired from being a young girl to become a ballet dancer. Her ambitions were realised when she became a truly dedicated student at Brenda Blakesley dancing school in Chesterfield, where she was partnered with Vincent Logan who remained her friend for many years after. Her dance teacher Audrey Lock saw her early talents and encouraged her to pursue dance as a career. Elizabeth was awarded a scholarship to a top ballet school in London and left home at the tender age of 16 to begin her life in the world of Ballet .
Whilst at the ballet school she was taught by Mona Inglesby, who had also been a student of the Ballet Rambert. Gillian Lynne, a well known choreographer in London (working on many famous musicals including Cats and West Side Story) became a mentor for Elizabeth who personally took an interest in her and gave her coaching before she was accepted into the Sadler’s Wells Ballet .
Elizabeth’s life was now in London were she shared her fondest and happiest memories while studying and performing to professional audiences. She would enjoy telling anyone and everyone who would want to listen about these special times. Especially about living in ‘South Kensington Darling.’
During Elizabeth’s career, she was part of the ensemble for the Welsh Opera Ballet Company . Later she went on to dance in the famous Fol de Rols which toured all over the country with many famous stars of the time, including Harry Seecomb and the Beverly Sisters. Elizabeth said that this was one of the most fulfilling and fun times of her life and spoke endlessly of the wonderful people that she met along the way. One of Elizabeth’s accolades was being invited to perform for the Royal Command Performance at The Palladium alongside Leslie Crowther, amongst many other achievements in the dance world. As well as being outstanding in her field she was also a very accomplished tap dancer, which she was very proud of.
Later on in Elizabeth’s career, she met and married Tony Pursall. They settled down in South Kensington and gave birth to their wonderful daughter Hannah. Although, Elizabeth continued with her dancing career for as long as possible, she decided to later retire from performing after parting ways with her husband. Elizabeth later moved to Ealing where she became a Civil Servant for the London Borough of Ealing and devoted the rest of her time to being a full time single mother. She had a very rewarding career in this field for many years. Whilst living in Ealing, Elizabeth met her long time partner of several years, Victor. They shared many holidays, family occasions and happy memories with one another. Victor, as we could all guess did most of the cooking, but always with a joke and and a “ did I ever tell you the story “ intro. Elizabeth would always wave aside his jokes but he was her and Hannah’s rock, until his unfortunate passing.
The next and most important chapter of Elizabeth’s life was her daughter Hannah meeting her devoted partner and husband Jim and being blessed with two amazing Grandchildren, Charlie and Lily. Elizabeth was always a hands on Grandmother, enjoying spending all of her free time and caring for them. Elizabeth made her second home in Cornwall, where Hannah made her life for the children to grow up in. She was never happier than when she was with them.
Elizabeth’s roots were still always back in Chesterfield, Derbyshire where she spent most Christmas days with her brother Harry while he was still alive and never missed a good family do. For many years after she would spend most holidays staying with her cousin Susan and the family in Rufford, Nottinghamshire. A family reunion on Boxing Day was a special tradition where she would meet up with Peter, Karen, Jeanne, Leanne and Stacey in their favourite place, Chatsworth. Elizabeth was famous for arriving at 2am-3am in the morning on Christmas day and was still able to be the life and soul of the party. Up until the last couple of years she could could still do the splits. Much to everyone’s amazement .
Cousins Michael, Phillip and Josie were never far from her thoughts. Josie fondly remembers their summer holidays together and despite-childhood rivalry’s they were very close. Philip and Elizabeth were close in age and spent many happy times together. Michael was dear to her heart, and remained so until the end. They shared many a sing song and happy childhood memories of Christmas party’s in Spital. Theresa recalls wonderful holidays with Elizabeth, Hannah and her grandchildren in France, long walks through the vineyard and picking Walnuts. Elizabeth’s basket was always full first .
Jane (Elizabeth’s Godchild) and Susan, remember the many great times while living around the corner from Elizabeth in London , they all travelled and moved away but
Elizabeth shared and enjoyed many holiday with them both in Spain, America and Vancouver. Elizabeth loved walking and being at one with nature. She loved dogs and animals. While she was still able to, she still never failed to walk the famous Toby Ted every single day. One of her favourite hobbies was travelling, she went to many destinations around the world, often joined by her best friend Paula.
When Elizabeth moved to Wokingham, Berkshire it became the haven for all the family for 35 years. Many garden party’s were held here, with Elizabeth who never cooked , (but saved recipes from every magazine on the planet). Serving up Marks & Spencer’s very special recipes, everyone was welcome but the kitchen was yours.
Elizabeth remained a devoted Mother and Grandmother, until tragically her daughter Hannah, passed away after a long battle with Cancer. This devastated Elizabeth and subsequently her health deteriorated. Fortunately, her close friends, Pauline and Rob, from her younger days in London, who also lived in Wokingham, spent many hours helping Elizabeth in many ways but especially with the house and her garden.
As Elizabeth was starting to get older and it was clear to the family that she was not coping alone, it was better for her to go and stay with her family. Elizabeth’s cousin Joanna and her husband Rupert offered for her to live with them in Lincoln. Elizabeth and Joanna had always been close from Joanna being a little girl.
It was sadly, later discovered, that Elizabeth had developed Alzheimer’s disease. Although throughout her time being diagnosed with this illness, remained to be the larger than life character that she always was. In Lincoln, Elizabeth made many friends, become close with neighbours and continued to have many family gatherings whilst drinking her famous Prosecco.
Until her last breath, Elizabeth enjoyed each and every day as if it were her last, always up for a party, going out on adventures, making new friends and enticing people with her infectious personality, smile and storytelling. Her favourite place to visit (obviously with a glass of Champagne) became Branston Hall overlooking the lake and the English Countryside which is where she will be peacefully laid to rest in the church.
Elizabeth remained a Loving and devoted Grandmother up until the end.
Rest In Peace Darling!
Due to the unprecedented times that we are facing a memorial service / celebration of life will be held at a later date. Please leave your email (if possible) to be contacted about these arrangements in the future.
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We only knew Elizabeth in her final years so it was really nice to read her life story. She made quite an impact at Longhills, especially on the kids. She was a lovely lady and will be missed, especially at parties 🥂
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Hannah’s friend Dee
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In memory of Auntie Elizabeth, christmas parties will never be the same without you, we will carry on your tradition of carrying a glass of prosecco around everywhere with you. Fondly remembered all our love Karen, Graham Stacy and Leanne.
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Pauline knew Lisa (as we knew her as) for over 50 years and Rob for over 30 years, it was a long and loving friendship full of twists and turns with so much love and laughter and Lisa was very much part of our life in Wokingham.
It started back in 1968, when Pauline worked with Lisa initially at CAV in Acton, West London. She became Hannah’s regular baby-sitter for a number of years whilst Lisa continued to dance professionally in the evenings and at weekends. During this time, Lisa moved from the flat to a cottage she bought in Ealing and refurbished – Lisa had exquisitely good taste for design and throughout her life acquired, collected (but never got rid of) lovely items, objets and antiques. Over the Ealing years things changed, Hannah no longer needed a babysitter, Lisa moved to work at Ealing Council in Personnel before working in recruitment for the Job Centre and Victor was very much part of her life, and Pauline moved to Luton so although the contact was sporadic (Lisa as we know was not a great one for cards or calls) but the friendship stayed.
Pauline moved to Berkshire met Rob and we were both amazed to bump into Lisa in Wokingham around 1987 to discover Lisa had moved to Honey Hill a few months earlier. For the next 30 years Lisa was part of our lives. The memories of those years are full of wonderful recollections: Lisa’s love of Honey Hill making it a quintessential cottage packed full of her collections, every visit a performance, Lisa recalling her dancing career, an oven rarely used, her passion for gardening, the great times with Jim, Hannah, Charlie and Lily, happy meals out, Christmases and bonfire nights, sorting out all sorts of tangles, tea in the garden in summer, Toby Ted, Snoppy, the Crooked Billet, the Golden Retriever, Loch Fynne, lists and reminders everywhere, brushes with technology, Prosecco and croissants, molehills and the stream at the bottom of the garden, the neighbours, cutting the grass, burst pipes, lost keys, yoga, retreats, her New Year’s Eve escapades with her dancing friends, a parking fine or two, an insurance claim or two – and so it goes on. We have such happy memories of Lisa – she really was a one-off but always the entertainer and what a performance!
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Pauline knew Lisa (as we knew her as) for over 50 years and Rob for over 30 years, it was a long and loving friendship full of twists and turns with so much love and laughter and Lisa was very much part of our life in Wokingham.
It started back in 1968, when Pauline worked with Lisa initially at CAV in Acton, West London. She became Hannah’s regular baby-sitter for a number of years whilst Lisa continued to dance professionally in the evenings and at weekends. During this time, Lisa moved from the flat to a cottage she bought in Ealing and refurbished – Lisa had exquisitely good taste for design and throughout her life acquired, collected (but never got rid of) lovely items, objets and antiques. Over the Ealing years things changed, Hannah no longer needed a babysitter, Lisa moved to work at Ealing Council in Personnel before working in recruitment for the Job Centre and Victor was very much part of her life, and Pauline moved to Luton so although the contact was sporadic (Lisa as we know was not a great one for cards or calls) but the friendship stayed.
Pauline moved to Berkshire met Rob and we were both amazed to bump into Lisa in Wokingham around 1987 to discover Lisa had moved to Honey Hill a few months earlier. For the next 30 years Lisa was part of our lives. The memories of those years are full of wonderful recollections: Lisa’s love of Honey Hill making it a quintessential cottage packed full of her collections, every visit a performance, Lisa recalling her dancing career, an oven rarely used, her passion for gardening, the great times with Jim, Hannah, Charlie and Lily, happy meals out, Christmases and bonfire nights, sorting out all sorts of tangles, tea in the garden in summer, Toby Ted, Snoppy, the Crooked Billet, the Golden Retriever, Loch Fynne, lists and reminders everywhere, brushes with technology, Prosecco and croissants, molehills and the stream at the bottom of the garden, the neighbours, cutting the grass, burst pipes, lost keys, yoga, retreats, her New Year’s Eve escapades with her dancing friends, a parking fine or two, an insurance claim or two – and so it goes on. We have such happy memories of Lisa – she really was a one-off but always the entertainer and what a performance!
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Elizabeth didn't have a prominent place in my life but played a very special part in Michael Fawberts life ( her cousin and my partner ) I know they both spent many happy hours together as children and they both valued dearly that time and the shared memories they had. Whenever they met, she would always say he was her favourite cousin, be it true or not she could convey this remark with sincerity.elizabeth was so compassionate, patient and caring towards him despite the progression of her own memory problems and his Parkinson's.Always engaging in conversation with him to which he would respond and appreciate.
My overriding memory of this impeccably mannered lady (in the truest sense) is of her saying "Hello Darling how lovely to see you" followed by a very warm embrace.....she had that ability to put u at ease and make you feel she really was pleased to see you and that you mattered. A gift and talent that she passed on to her daughter and grandchildren.
This lady loved life to the full...it was for living and to be enjoyed to the full. Never happier than socialising,partying or playing simple games with her wider family and friends. There was never a hint or sign of tiredness no matter how late the hour. Not one to ever let her own troubles or demons take centre stage.....it really was a case of. "the show must go on"
Thank u Elizabeth for the happy memories you have left with us and just a final thanks to Joanna and Rupert for supporting Elizabeth during the latter years.
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A very sad passing at this awful time in history - we shall so fondly remember Elizabeth!
She always enjoyed her life and her family and many thanks to Joanna and Rupert who did so much to enable her to continue to do so in the latter years.
We hope to celebrate her life when things return to normal!
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At my son Marc’s wedding in Canada we were all dancing and having a merry old time as you do at weddings, when I got a tap on the shoulder from my sister . She had a very concerned look on her face. You might want to come and take a look at what’s about to happen here.she said.I turned to look to see two very anebriated family members one of which was my 15 year old son matt and the other my cousin Elizabeth she was encouraging him to lift and jette her across the dance floor. Needless to say it didn’t end well they both ended up in a heap on the floor Elizabeth with a big smile on her face and Matt in a state of shock and awe. Love you Elizabeth we’ll miss your spirit and dance moves. 💕💕
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My cousin Elizabeth
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RIP dear Elizabeth, you will be missed x
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Their last day together. Many happy memories of these two. Often ending up in a pub for a drink!!
Perfect pose
Hannah’s friend Dee
From Maxine Michael and Nigel
My cousin Elizabeth
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