Born in Dorpat (now Tartu), Estonia August 06, 1922, Elisabeth was the second of three daughters of Baron Hans Woldemar von Tiesenhausen and Baroness Elisabeth Clara Maria von Tiesenhausen (née von Wissel).

At the early age of 4, she had to leave Estonia with her family, due to the communist advance over the Baltic German colonies, leaving all their properties behind.Despite being warned of possible difficulties of a new start in a foreign and totally different country, her father decided to come to Brazil and established the family first in São Paulo, but soon moved to Santos, a much nicer city to live in.

Only 5 years later, her father suffered a serious accident, when, during a storm, he was struck by a collapsing wall and three months later, died due to the consequent injuries, leaving her mother and two sisters to take care of themselves.

To support the family, her mother turned their large house into a weekend lodge and managed to make their living, also selling oil paintings as a talented artist and thus raising and educating the three girls, who were then 12, 10 and 8 years old.

In the mid 40’s, working in Santos, Elisabeth met Edwin Augusts Davies (Rex), a well-known Englishman, who worked for a British shipping company and produced pantomimes at the Santos Athletic Club.

After moving back to São Paulo,they were married in 1948, at the old Anglican Church downtown. They had two sons and lived happily together for 50 years, until Rex passed away in 1998, at the age of 90.

Elisabeth enjoyed her family life above all things and was a very dedicated mother. She was always up to date on current affairs, reading “O Estado de São Paulo”newspaper and watching the daily news on T.V.

She was very proud of her sons, Brian (married to Gisela) and John (married to Adriana), and her grandchildren Christian and Michael (married to Laura) and Julie and Eric. In time, she had just become a great grandmother last June to Douglas, Michael and Laura’s first son.

Her excellent humour was remarkable, even in her last moments. She was always kind and never complained.

Elisabeth spent her last Christmas in hospital, and left us on December 28th, at the age of 96. She will be very deeply missed by all those who had the privilege of knowing her. May she find peace in her new existence.

Davies Family