Elizabeth Louise Girardi

Dr. Elizabeth-Louise Girardi, nee Leisch, age 81, passed away peacefully on November 30 at her home in Kenilworth. Beloved wife of Joseph B., loving mother of Stephanie and Sulie, mother-in-law of Raymond F. Kearney and Herwig W. Strauss, grandmother of Margaret E. Hathaway. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frederick K. Leisch and Elizabeth, nee Simmons. She was born April 26, 1930 in Evanston, IL.; attended Joseph Sears School, New Trier High school, and Wellesley College. She became a nurse before marrying in 1955. She began graduate studies at Northwestern University in the 1960's where she was awarded her Master's degree and PhD. in systematic zoology after discovering a new genus of Samoan land snail. She volunteered for many years at the Field Museum of Chicago and travelled extensively throughout the world. She was International President of the Pan Pacific Women's Association,(PPSEAWA) from 1994-2000 and was their representative at the United Nations. During the 1970's she taught biology and languages at New Trier's Center for Self-Directed Learning. Her favorite place to travel to was Eaton's Ranch in Wolf, Wyoming. She went there nearly every summer from 1942 until 2002, and wrote Wolf Creek Woods: a layman's guide to the trees and shrubs of Eaton's' Ranch. She was very active at St. Augustine's Church in Wilmette where she sang in the choir for over 40 years and served on many guilds and committees. Her family would especially like to thank Aleksandra Marzec and other caregivers who were such a help to her during the final years of her life. Memorial Visitation was held on Friday, December 2, 2011 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Wm. H. Scott Funeral Home, 1100 Greenleaf Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, 60091. Interment was private.