ELIZABETH WEIR TOOR

MIDDLEBURY — Elizabeth Weir Toor died at age 99 on Aug. 24, 2026, in Middlebury, Vt.

Beth was a brilliant scientist, mother, wife, dog lover (particularly Irish and Gordon Setters), passionate supporter of women’s choice and voting rights, and an activist for clean air. She was an enthusiastic follower of women’s tennis, enjoyed a martini at the end of the workday, and loved her cigarettes, chocolates, and mystery novels. She spoke her mind, did not suffer fools gladly, and carried Kleenex in every pocket. In her younger days, she had flame-red hair and wore bright red lipstick with wild jewelry.

Beth was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Her mother taught French at a women’s college, while her father was the first dean of the law school at the University of Alberta. Beth remembered that her father “gave me the idea that I could be anything I wanted to be when I grew up,” making sure she was given the same opportunities as her brothers. She passed that same philosophy on to her own children.

Beth was interested in science from an early age and started college at age 16. She studied at Stanford and the University of Alberta, graduating with a degree in chemistry. Although many colleges did not accept women into graduate programs in science, she was admitted into the Ph.D. program at Northwestern University. While there, she met Herb Toor in a Mathematical Methods in Physics class. From this classically nerdy beginning they spent over 60 years together.

After graduating with a Ph.D., Beth took a postdoctoral research position with Kathleen Lonsdale at University College, London, where she used X-ray diffraction to study the structure of macromolecules. Her research project failed, as she was attempting analysis that the technology of the time could not support, but she took heart that years later another researcher using more modern technology did very similar work and received a Nobel prize for it. (When asked whether she had any regrets in life, her response was “not getting the Nobel prize in Chemistry.”) She and Herb had a memorable time in England, returning with a strong belief in the virtues of central heating. Herb then began a faculty position at Carnegie Tech (later Carnegie Mellon) in Pittsburgh, while Beth took a research position in the Metallurgy Department, as Carnegie at the time would not hire women for faculty positions in science or engineering.

Herb and Beth, always adventurous, spent a sabbatical year in India with three young children, where Herb worked with UNICEF to start up a new engineering school. Beth and Herb made lifelong friends there, and their time in India made a deep impression.

Beth worked part-time at the U. S. Bureau of Mines when the children were young. She also became very active in local politics, working with the League of Women Voters and with the Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP). She played a key role in the successful campaign to stop construction of a destructive beltway around Pittsburgh. Later, she returned to full-time work doing research in a lab at Carnegie Mellon on such diverse topics as gallstones and coal slurries.

Beth was a lover of fiber art: an accomplished seamstress, knitter, and weaver, who gifted many people with her intricate creations. She devoted many hours to the Weaver’s Guild of Pittsburgh and leaves an extensive collection of works.

The family took extended summer trips to Beth’s brother’s cabin at the base of Mount Robson in British Columbia, often with a whole pack of nieces, nephews, and dogs. Beth and Herb were hikers and backpacked extensively in the Canadian Rockies. On one memorable trip — the 100-mile North Boundary trail — Beth came down with kidney stones and was evacuated on horseback. She corrected the doctor who told her this was the worst pain one could suffer, pointing out that childbirth involves larger items than kidney stones. Upon returning from the backcountry, Beth and Herb were delighted to learn that Richard Nixon had resigned.

In 2008, after retiring, Beth and Herb bucked the norm of retiring south and instead moved north to Vermont, where they were near both their daughter and a son’s summer home. The family enjoyed many holidays and summer vacations together on Lake Champlain.

Beth was a brilliant, beautiful, creative and independent woman who made an impression on all who knew her. She will be deeply missed. She leaves behind her three children, Helen Toor, John Toor and his wife Margaret, and Will Toor and his wife Mariella; grandchildren Milo, Maren, Cead, Nicky, and Misha; and many nieces and nephews of multiple generations.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at the Residence at Otter Creek for their kindness and care for Beth over the many years she lived there, especially during her time in assisted living, as well as the hospice team at Addison County Home Health & Hospice, and the amazing Dr. Laura Weylman.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania, the Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP) in Pittsburgh, or the caregivers at the Residence at Otter Creek (made out to the Residents’ Appreciation Fund, care of Sasha Keck, 350 Lodge Road, Middlebury Vermont 05753).

A celebration of Beth’s life will be held next summer around what would have been her 100th birthday.  ◊