Elizabeth Mackreth Stephens

Elizabeth Stephens of Bucyrus, Kansas, died on December 28, 2017. She was thirty-five years old. For nearly four years, Elizabeth lived with brain cancer, facing her diagnosis and treatment with determination and bravery. A friend wrote that she was a “stunning example of how courageously a person can face unbelievable suffering with utmost serenity and lack of bitterness.”

Elizabeth was born January 15, 1982, in Kansas City, Missouri. She earned two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Missouri Kansas City, in Music from the UMKC Conservatory of Music, and in Communication Studies. She received a Master of Arts degree in Cinema Studies from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Until her illness, Elizabeth worked for the D. E. Shaw Group, a New York-based global investment and technology development firm. She loved the natural world and the arts, and readily shared her passions and enthusiasms with friends. Elizabeth was a respected musician, a professional voice actor, an inspired cook, and insightful judge of films. Friends will remember that she also liked a good party, an adventurous meal, the perfect outfit.

Elizabeth’s family thanks the many people who have shared how she touched their lives. A colleague remembered Elizabeth’s beautiful smile, and said that she brought a special feeling of happiness to the office. A D. E. Shaw manager described Elizabeth as always upbeat, excited, curious, warm, kind, smiling. A friend from the Tisch School wrote, “when Liz talked to me, I always felt like she was looking at me with her whole heart and soul.” Another Tisch friend remembers Elizabeth as intelligent, complex, creative and surprising. And New York voice coaches wrote that “her beauty, charm and grace were immediately present to us.” Many others have written about her bright light and caring soul.

During her illness, in spite of seven brain surgeries and relentless pain, she was a beautiful, courageous example who touched many with her steadfastness, patience and love. When standard treatments failed, Elizabeth readily volunteered for an experimental procedure with the hope it would help her, or if not, it would advance the science of treating brain tumors. As Elizabeth’s own journey unfolded, she inspired family, friends, caregivers, and others she met encountering their own hardships.

Elizabeth is survived by her parents Chuck and Charlotte Looney Stephens of Bucyrus, Kansas and by brother Patrick Stephens and sister-in-law Fiona Rey of Overland Park, Kansas. Elizabeth was a special aunt to nieces Zelia and Loa Stephens of Overland Park. Elizabeth is also survived by her aunt Carolyn Line, and by many dear friends.

A memorial service for Elizabeth will be held at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, Mission, Kansas at 2:00 PM on January 6, 2017. The family requests no flowers and suggests remembering Elizabeth with contributions to Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care, 1500 Meadow Lake Pkwy, Suite 200, Kansas City, MO 64114-9937.