Elizabeth “Tobey” Burnett, of Medway, formerly of Linley Hill Farm in Leven, East Yorkshire, England, died Monday, April 4, at age 53, after valiantly battling late-stage ovarian cancer.
She was the beloved daughter of retired art historian Torrey Milligan Burnett of Medway and the late artist and art professor Calvin Waller Burnett.
Tobey is also survived and mourned by her husband John Elkerton of Medway, formerly of Cranston, Rhode Island, as well as her best friend Deb Sidelinger of Wellington, New Zealand, her godson Matthew Brown of Wellington, New Zealand, her dear friends Ken Hjulstrom of Roslindale, Viv Whittingham of England, Carla Thompson of Malden, Lisa Wexler of Cambridge, Jennifer King Lindley of South Bend, Indiana, formerly of Medway, and many other loving friends in the United States and the United Kingdom. She will also be greatly missed by her dog, Tye, and her cats, Dan and Molly.
Tobey was educated at Medway High School; Colby College in Waterville, Maine; Oxford University in Oxford, England; and University of Glasgow in Glasgow, Scotland. She taught English for many years in London, eventually dividing her time between London and her farm in Yorkshire.
Tobey also read avidly, drew cartoons, and wrote short stories and poetry. Some of her stories were published in the U.K., and she recently completed a children’s book which will be published posthumously.
Tobey loved to travel, especially in Greece and Portugal, but when at home on her farm, she happily managed house renovations, tended her pigs and orchard, hosted friends, and romped with her beloved dogs and cats. She loved to “bop” with her friends, sharing concerts, plays, long walks, and delicious meals, talking and laughing for hours. Her intense appreciation of life was contagious. Her family and friends will always remember her amazing wit and humor, her passionate sense of right and wrong, her adventurous spirit, and her deep capacity for joy and connection. She lived every day to the fullest.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral service on Saturday, April 9 at 2:30 p.m. in the Ginley Crowley Funeral Home, 3 Barber St. in Medway (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com). Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in West Medway.
A calling hour will be held on Saturday from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, Tobey’s family requests that donations be made in her memory to the local animal shelter, The Purr-fect Cat Shelter, P.O. Box 548, Medway, MA 02053.