1954
Elizabeth
2020
Elizabeth Anne Parker
December 5, 1954 — June 22, 2020
Faith. Love. Dancing Spirit. Integrity. Brilliant smile. Wisdom. Teacher Liz. Compassionate – truly caring. A bright light. Joyful. Kind. Strong. Passionate. Courageous. Resilient. Patient. Mama Dearest. Fabulous Babe. These and many other qualities are remembered by those impacted by our beloved Liz.
Liz was born in Syracuse, NY to Robert V. Peiffer and (Marion) Alice Jagelle. Big sister to Jen, Rob and Ted, she grew up with dozens of beloved local cousins attended Catholic schools attracting life-long friends.
Liz displayed one of her initial acts of courageous feminism by joining the first-ever women's class at Holy Cross. After graduating with honors and passing the CPA, she entered public accounting working for a Big-8 firm in Chicago. Moving to Portland in 1978, she soon joined the local office of Coopers & Lybrand, where she became its first-ever woman partner. But when that monumental achievement did not satisfy her soul, she left to pursue a Master's degree in counselling psychology and then followed her heart to become a beloved pre-school teacher in the SWPCC "toddler room" (2 year olds).
Liz married Gregson Parker in 1991 and soon gave birth to two beautiful souls, Sara Lavinia and Heart Mixelle. Parenting, working, and dancing in SW Portland for the next 25 years, Liz became an integral member of SWPCC community, a tight-knit Women's Circle, a Nia/Fusion dance crew, a St. Clare prayer group and others. As she said beautifully in her last days, the people you love are what "knits your life together".
An avid reader, she ended many days cozily curled up with family, books, and the beloved family cats. She always found great joy and solace in nature (especially the annual family spring break beach trips), and achieved her retirement goal of a beautiful bird sanctuary in the backyard Her joy, love and great sense of fun will be honored and carried on in her family and friends' coming adventures. As Liz often said, "Hold fast, and keep going".
After surviving a year and a half of terminal cancer, Liz's lovely spirit soared to Heaven while surrounded by Gregson, Sara, Heart and Sara's longtime partner Tommy. She is survived by her siblings and cousins, and her legacy lives in the hundreds of children and parents lucky enough to have experienced her skillful and loving tutelage. A funeral Mass has been held and multiple memorials will be scheduled post-covid.
Liz was born in Syracuse, NY to Robert V. Peiffer and (Marion) Alice Jagelle. Big sister to Jen, Rob and Ted, she grew up with dozens of beloved local cousins attended Catholic schools attracting life-long friends.
Liz displayed one of her initial acts of courageous feminism by joining the first-ever women's class at Holy Cross. After graduating with honors and passing the CPA, she entered public accounting working for a Big-8 firm in Chicago. Moving to Portland in 1978, she soon joined the local office of Coopers & Lybrand, where she became its first-ever woman partner. But when that monumental achievement did not satisfy her soul, she left to pursue a Master's degree in counselling psychology and then followed her heart to become a beloved pre-school teacher in the SWPCC "toddler room" (2 year olds).
Liz married Gregson Parker in 1991 and soon gave birth to two beautiful souls, Sara Lavinia and Heart Mixelle. Parenting, working, and dancing in SW Portland for the next 25 years, Liz became an integral member of SWPCC community, a tight-knit Women's Circle, a Nia/Fusion dance crew, a St. Clare prayer group and others. As she said beautifully in her last days, the people you love are what "knits your life together".
An avid reader, she ended many days cozily curled up with family, books, and the beloved family cats. She always found great joy and solace in nature (especially the annual family spring break beach trips), and achieved her retirement goal of a beautiful bird sanctuary in the backyard Her joy, love and great sense of fun will be honored and carried on in her family and friends' coming adventures. As Liz often said, "Hold fast, and keep going".
After surviving a year and a half of terminal cancer, Liz's lovely spirit soared to Heaven while surrounded by Gregson, Sara, Heart and Sara's longtime partner Tommy. She is survived by her siblings and cousins, and her legacy lives in the hundreds of children and parents lucky enough to have experienced her skillful and loving tutelage. A funeral Mass has been held and multiple memorials will be scheduled post-covid.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Elizabeth Anne Parker, please visit our flower store.
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