Elizabeth Popoff

Liza was born in Forest Hills, NY on May 8, 1936 to Andrew Peter Popoff and Olympia Morosoff. She received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Columbia University and a master’s degree from Vanderbilt University. After working in public health for a short time, she joined the Yale University Health Plan in New Haven, Connecticut as a Nurse Practitioner where she remained for the rest of her career. After retirement, Liza moved to Charleston, South Carolina.

Liza had many interests, including tennis, travel, bridge, and going to lectures. She was an avid tennis player from her 20’s until her early 80’s. She started playing tennis at the West Side Tennis club in Forest Hills NY where she learned to love the sport and as well as the friendships she made on and off the court. Upon retiring, she chose Charleston, SC because the climate allowed her to play tennis year-round.

Liza loved to learn and could frequently be found at lectures in the community. In Charleston, she was active in the Center for Creative Retirement where she attended weekly presentations and made many friends. After retirement, she also took some classes at the College of Charleston in the Russian Language department to increase her proficiency in her first language and connect with her Russian heritage. Liza enjoyed travel, whether it was outside the US, around this country or a simple road trip with friends. Many of her closest friends have been her travel companions and enjoyed her company on their adventures. Liza also enjoyed spending time in nature, enjoying wildlife and the simplicity of the woods or coastline.

Liza genuinely enjoyed people and had many close friendships in both Connecticut and South Carolina. She was an enjoyable conversation partner, as she was both interesting and engaging. In South Carolina, she had many special friends who she joined for bridge, book club, cultural events and casual get-togethers. Her family also looked forward to her visits and were blessed that she spent three months in Texas close to siblings, nieces and nephews before she passed away.

Liza is survived by her siblings Helen Howey and Andrew Popoff; sister-in-law Nancy Popoff; niece Karen Pieters (Serge Pieters); nephew Bob Popoff (Heather VanLigten); and great nieces Elena Pieters, June Popoff, and Jillian Popoff. The family will celebrate Liza’s life in a private ceremony.