Eulogy For My Sister Liz

My sister Liz was a teacher, and I was her first official student.  Yes-- my first day of 1st grade at

Crestwood Elementary School, Liz, a recent high school graduate, who was preparing to head off

to college at Eastern KY University, was the last minute substitute for Mrs. Coyle, my first grade 

teacher.  You can imagine how special I felt to have my big sister teaching us that day!  But, at that

time Liz didn't plan on becoming a teacher and so followed the course of a history major in college.  

It was only later, when like many college grads, she was trying to find work, that our dear family 

friend Betsy Green suggested she come to Florida, a place where there was a great demand for 

teachers, and where college grads were allowed to begin teaching jobs as long as they also started 

coursework to get their credential.  But, regardless of whether or not this became her career by 

choice or necessity, I believe that all who encountered Liz as a teacher would agree it was 

something she was well suited for and a career for which she excelled.

Perhaps one of the greatest gifts God gives is the gift of helping others recognize and use their 

gifts.  Of the many moving tributes I have read in reference to my sister's many years as a mentor 

to young people, I think one former student sums up the sentiment of many, with the statement, 

"Thank you for showing me that I was worth something." 

In my faith, I believe that God feels we are all worth something.  But, most of us have times 

when we feel we are less than something good.  At those times we need someone to lift us, 

believe in us and inspire us to embrace our worth.  Liz was that person for many.

The effects of this kind of God's work Liz did in her lifetime as an educator are exponential.  

I am certain that each student, friend, colleague and even stranger that she encouraged and 

inspired was moved to do the same for others they encountered along their life path and so on 

and so on and so on --- so that we begin to lose count of all the good that has spread from 

my dear sister.

I also believe that this good continues on like a ripple in a pond that has no boundaries or 

shore to contain its wake.  This image of the continuity of Liz's goodness brings great comfort 

to me in my time of grief.  It also inspires me to reflect on my own sphere influence and

encourages me to focus on building up others whenever I can.  It is not as hard as we might 

think.  My sister was not perfect and we don't need to be perfect in order to do what we can 

with whatever tools and gifts we have been given.  We just need to start today.  We don't need 

to help or inspire everyone.  I imagine that there will be times we fail at this task because our 

own self-interest blinds us to those who need our kind words and encouragement.  We just need 

to lift up one person at a time and hopefully like my dear sister, over the course of a life, we will 

have made some positive difference in this world that, like her, we will eventually leave.

Life is short, and we do not have too much time to gladden the hearts of those who travel 

with us, so be quick to love and make haste to be kind.  --Henri-Frédéric Amiel

Delivered at Liz's Funeral - St. James Episcopal Church, Pewee Valley, KY on 2/22/14

Liz (with me) - dressed for her High School Prom 1965