Elise Hedwig Thelma Toothe, one of the three daughters (along with Nancy and Stephanie) of Georgina Nancy Kunzte, was born 11 February, 1939 at den Hague, Holland.  At a young age, Lies showed she was a brave and courageous leader when at 6 years old during World War II she had to find food for her and her sisters and mother on a farm at Holland by picking potatoes and turnips for them.  Lies was conscious of her sister’s health and gave the potatoes to her for health reasons while she ate the potato skins.  After her mother was flown out of Holland, Stephan de Kdat (a soldier of the war who later married Nana and had a child Stephanie) returned to collect Nancy, her sister and Lies, and flew them to safety at England.  The next years, Lies went to boarding school in England and after running away three times she went to work for Mrs. Clarion in the horse stables and in a circus working with the animals.

In 1956 Lies, her mother and sisters left Europe, went to Mexico and were headed to Bermuda but stopped on their way at Nassau.  They took up residence and bought two houses in Nassau, and Lies found work as an airline stewardess for BOAC.  Lies met Patrick Toothe, married and had two children, Wim and Guy.  As a mother she was with her boys after school, taking them to learn how to ride horses, first at Paradise Island Stables, then to Windy Ridge, Camperdown, Fox Hill, Coral Harbour and Godet Farm.  Lies had a gift in that she knew how to handle animals and teach how to care for them, and it did not matter what colour or creed you were she would teach you.  She took her students in the 1970’s to Canada to learn how to ride then in the 80’s to the United States of America where her students rode in shows (such as those in Tampa and Clearwater) where they were placed first amongst the other competitors.  Lies not only taught her students animal care but also taught all of them not to be prejudiced, to work hard, to be honest, and most of all to have pride in what they did.  Lies loved her students at St. Anne’s where she was a teacher.

Afterwards she was fun and a friend and helper to many of her students who later became friends.  She was dedicated to helping the Bahamas.  She will be missed for her caring and courage.

She is succeeded by:  Edward Patrick Toothe, her two sisters Nancy G. Woodman and Stephanie Adams, her two sons P. Wilhelm (Wim) F. Toothe and Guy G. H. Toothe, and her granddaughter Katrina E. L. Toothe.

[From Memorial Programme]