Elizabeth "Liz" V. Heid

A memorial service for Liz will be held Saturday, April 13, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM at Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home, 7520 Aloma Ave, Winter Park, FL 32792. A brief reception will held immediately afterwards.

Liz. Mom. Liz H. Lizzie. Lizardbreath. Eya. YiaYia,

We all knew her as a caring, loving woman who always put others first. But did you know…

An Air Force brat until the ripe old age of 10, Liz called base housing home from California to Florida until her father left in 1967. She and her brother Michael were raised by their amazing mother, "Mom" (aka Bessie or Vaso), as a family of 3 for the next 8 years until Liz insisted her mom marry their best friend, Denny Coffelt, in 1975. She always wanted to be a nurse, so she enrolled in "Kirkman U" after high school and became an RN. This is when the world changed. Liz was always a helper and a nurturer, but becoming an RN ignited something in her that would bring a brighter light into the world. She was smart, practical, and empathetic – a great combination. Liz went from being a floor nurse to the burn unit to the ICU, where she stayed for 20 years.

When she met Bob Heid in the fall of 1978, the world changed again. Bob and Liz married in the fall of 1979, and their son Jon was born soon thereafter. When Jon was about 12 and good at math, he announced to the entire family: "Hey, I was at the wedding, too, wasn't I." It was no secret. Oyster season came around again a few months later, and Jon's sister, Erin, was born 15 months after Jon. The early years were very busy and very happy, but the time had come to make decisions. In typical Liz fashion, Bob and Liz decided to trust their future to a coin toss. They flipped, Liz won, and she decided they would follow Bob's career until circumstances told them differently. The family followed Bob to Texas and became Texans. Liz took to life in Texas like a duck to water. She discovered a passion for country music, dancing, and jalapenos. With the help of the kids and sports, they made friends quickly. She immediately got a job in the local ICU, and Bob became a traveling salesman.

Six years later, they picked up and followed Bob again, this time to New Jersey. Liz again went to work in a local ICU, and the life of an RN soccer mom went on with a slightly different accent. Kids’ sports, good friends, and a family-focused quaint town once again made life a blast. The best times were in Winter. They lived close to a "ski resort" called Vernon Valley, so Liz and the kids would call in well whenever it snowed and spend the day skiing. That was Liz; making memories was always more important than math.

The family followed Bob back to Florida years later, and Liz returned to the ICU. After a few years, Louise Prairie convinced Liz to come to work for her at a local organ donor organization known as Translife (nka Our Legacy), where she discovered a new passion: palliative care and changing outcomes for both donor families and recipients. After 7 years, Louise changed Liz's direction again, urging her to become the Assistant Director of Risk Management for Advent Health in Central Florida.

As you would imagine, kids and grandkids have been a huge part of Liz’s Life. After her own kids, Jon and Erin, came her brother’s amazing kids, Nick and Josh Stenkamp. A few years later Jon brought forth our quiet one, Mason, then Jaxson, the family’s first official and only registered genius. A little later, Erin and her husband, Josh Pollock bestowed us with Father Jacob, the brightest personality of the group. Then came Nick’s sweet daughter Leslie, and soon we’ll have Peter, brought to us by Josh Stenkamp and his beautiful wife Megan! Two kids, two nephews, 3 grandsons, one grand-niece, and soon-to-be one grand-nephew, all with plenty of love to go around!

Liz retired in 2017. She was part of the AA Community for over 10 years, and it brought her strength, serenity, and a sense of belonging to something bigger than herself. She has many friends in that community whom she affected and helped and who will miss her dearly. Remember, guys, it's one day at a time. Be well.

Liz Heid passed away in her sleep on Tuesday, March 5th, 2024. For those who knew her well, she's in a better place today. A place without pain, which has been her constant companion for several years.