In June 1984, Elizabeth Crisby graduated from Keyin Tech College with her Secretarial Studies (Hons). In October 1984, Archdeacon Fred Oake was looking for someone to work part-time to help with the typing of the Newfoundland Churchman and to assist with various other tasks around the office. Elizabeth says she was laid off from the part-time position on 30 January 1985 and was home for just one day before being asked to return full-time on 1 February.
At that time, the Diocesan Synod office was located at 19 King’s Bridge Road, having moved from 68 Queen’s Road a year or two earlier. In those days, 19 King’s Bridge Road housed the Archdeacon’s residence, the Synod Office, and the Diocesan Resource Centre. Elizabeth recalls, “There was a much bigger staff back in those days. If those walls could only talk.”
On Elizabeth’s first day of work, she sat on a small leather steno chair with a little metal table and an Olivetti typewriter in front of the radiator in the main office. When her position became full-time on 1 February 1985, she graduated to a desk in the main office space, still with her Olivetti typewriter. In 1990, the first computers were introduced to the office. There were two computers with 5 卹-inch floppy disks, a shared hard drive in one of the computers, and an inkjet printer that was later upgraded to a laser printer. Over time, technology improved, and more advanced programs were introduced. In later years, the office even acquired a colour photocopier.
Over the past forty years, Elizabeth has worked with five of the last six Bishops of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador:
- Bishop Martin Mate
- Bishop Donald Harvey
- Bishop Cyrus Pitman
- Bishop Geoffrey Peddle
- Bishop Samuel Rose
The first, Bishop Archbishop Seaborn, confirmed her.
Elizabeth has also worked under eight Executive Officers/Archdeacons
- The Ven. Fred Oake
- The Ven. Owen Coffin
- The Ven. Tom Moulton
- The Ven. Neil Kellett
- The Ven. Geoff Peddle
- The Ven. Sandra Tilley
- The Ven. Sam Rose
- Currently, The Ven. Charlene Taylor
She has also had the privilege of working alongside many great colleagues and friends over the years.
The current Executive Officer, Archdeacon Charlene Taylor, remarked, “Elizabeth is the first point of contact for all who call or visit Church House. Her patience and kindness are gifts she offers to everyone in every situation. We are blessed to have Elizabeth in our midst.”
Throughout her forty-year career, Elizabeth has attended approximately 20 diocesan synods. She has shared office space with the diocesan archives, Family Life Counselling Service, Safe Harbour Outreach Project, Home Again Furniture Bank, Coalition of Fisheries, Joint Committee, and Roots of Empathy.
Reflecting on her journey, Elizabeth says, “My work has never been boring, and I have met so many people over the years—whether through serving in the Diocesan Resource Centre, handling registrations for Diocesan Synods, or organizing registrations for Lavrock and Mint Brook Summer Camps for over 30 years.
I have witnessed many changes, such as the building and closing of the Lavrock Centre, the transition from 19 King’s Bridge Road to 22 Church Hill (which, incidentally, was the only move I have ever experienced, as I still live in my childhood home), the construction and closure of churches, and the installation of columbaria.
Over the years, my duties have gone far beyond answering phones and typing. I have worked with rotary telephones, electronic typewriters, Gestetner machines, and collating paper machines. I have made sandwiches, cleaned the office, shovelled snow, fixed toilets, shopped for summer camps—whatever needed to be done. They call me the ‘Institutional Memory.’”
Elizabeth’s role has been diverse. She has conducted research, photocopied and maintained the Newfoundland Churchman/Anglican Life database and mailing labels, and, in the early years, even typed articles for the publication. She has organized files, created databases, listened to people, assisted parishes and staff, and supervised numerous summer students—many of whom have gone on to successful careers.
Elizabeth concludes, “I have had a great 40 years and am not really planning on going anywhere in the near future. Sorry—you’re stuck with me! I’ve learned so much in my time here.”
