Elizabeth Gilmour McLean

Elizabeth Gilmour McLean, a resident of Charlotte, NC, died Monday, October 18, at Duke University Medical Center, surrounded by her family and love.

Elizabeth was born in Rock Hill, SC, on October 29, 1965. She was the daughter of Elizabeth Lake Orr and Charles Lamb Cauthen. She grew up in Winston-Salem, NC, and graduated from Converse College in 1988. She met and married the love of her life, Mark, in 1992. Elizabeth's greatest joy was her family. Above all else, she cherished her role as a wife and mother to her precious children, Mary Scott and Robert. She was an avid exerciser and attended aerobic classes regularly at the Harris YMCA prior to her battle with non-smoker's lung disease that began in 1997. Elizabeth faced numerous challenges with dignity and grace and overcame undefiable odds during her journey. In 2007, Elizabeth received a miraculous heart and double lung transplant which extended her life and gave her cherished time on earth with her beloved family and friends. She had an internal strength that inspired all of those she came in contact with, particularly the many physicians and nurses who cared for her both at Carolinas Medical Center and Duke University Medical Center. Elizabeth loved attending church with her husband and children at Myers Park Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed spending her summers with all of her extended family and friends in the mountains of Montreat, NC. Her favorite scripture was Romans 8:28, "and we know that all things work together for good for those who love God", a verse which she drew strength from during her most recent hospitalization. Elizabeth's faith, courage and determination will continue to be a shining example to all of those who knew and loved her. Not only will she be remembered for her beautiful smile that radiated her inward and outward beauty, but her greatest legacy will be the abundant life she lived with the knowledge that "every day is a gift."

Elizabeth is survived by her loving husband, Robert Mark McLean; devoted children Mary Scott McLean and Robert Fletcher McLean II; mother Elizabeth Lake Orr of Winston-Salem, NC, brother Charles Lamb Cauthen and his wife, Karen, sister Catherine Lake Cauthen, all of Charlotte; sisters-in-law Heather McLean Jenkins and husband, George, of Columbia, SC, Laura McLean Marechal and her husband, Erik, of Florence, SC, Courtney McLean Thompson and her husband, Greg, of Charlottesville, VA; her husband's parents, Robert Fletcher McLean and his wife, Emily, of Florence, SC, and her aunts, uncles, cousins and many adoring nieces and nephews.

A service to celebrate the life of Elizabeth will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, October 21, 2010, at Myers Park Presbyterian Church. A reception will follow the service in Providence Hall at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Carolina Donor Services in memory of Elizabeth McLean to 909 East Arlington Blvd, Greenville, NC, 27858 (800) 200-2672 or Duke Lung Transplant Program, in care of Culver Scales, 512 South Mangum Street, Suite 400, Durham, NC, 27701. Arrrangements are in the care of Harry and Bryant Funeral Home. Online codolences can be made www.caringbridge.org/nc/elizabethmclean.