Memories of Liz by Barry & Sonia

My Dear Liz,

We have such fond memories of you.  Such as Thanksgiving, where we would have lots of fun preparing dinner.  You showed us how to cook a turkey.  Though, there were times we were sure that turkey would get away from us!  You would invite us to Easter Brunch, where you and I would not eat much of the main course as we were saving ourselves for the DESSERTS!  In the meantime, Barry, Jack and the kids would go for it all!

You were always there when I had family questions that only you could understand, us being step-parents.  Not an easy job!  Thanks for your great ideas and good advice. 

You were such a fashionista, always ready to party and always looking great.

You lived an interesting and exciting life.  You went to college, which many young girls during that era didn’t.  Your education took you far, with great jobs.  You’ve always done well for yourself and your family.  You traveled the world with Jack by car, train, boat and plane.  Not many people can say they’ve done that.

You went camping, fishing and water skiing with the Barry, Dean and Jack, even though your idea of roughing it was a weekend at the Hilton.  Kudos to you Liz!  Thank you for the fond memories and being there for us.

Now you’re with Jack, I can just see you smiling.  We are so happy to have had you in our lives.  You were such an inspiration to us.  We miss you much Liz and want you to know, you’ll always be in our hearts.

We will love you always, 

Barry and Sonia 



Mimaw, 

A lot of the memories that I have in life were spent in California visiting mimaw and papa Jack. They might’ve been my dad‘s aunt and uncle but to me she was my grandma. She loved me like I was one of her grandkids. She didn’t judge me when I asked to put sour cream on a bagel instead of cream cheese or Sour cream on spaghetti instead of tomato sauce. I remember one trip wanting to show her my newly made build a bear and was excited because she made dolls and I just made one. Even though it was a penguin and leather pants jacket and sunglasses.
I got to spend a few birthdays out there with her girl and that going to Disneyland and Remember blowing out candles in their condo. I’ve always wanted to live a life like heard of the full as tI’ve always wanted to live a Life like hers. Where she has many years of amazing memories mini years of loving family members and a phenomenal legacy to leave behind. She is home now and gone from this earth but she’ll never be forgotten.

I love you Mimaw!

Grandma Liz  was such a big part of my life.  I shared 45 years with her and for that I’m truly blessed.  She was  kind , strong, sharp and she always knew what she wanted.  I looked up to her in so many ways.  We have shared so much  over the years and your example and loving support has been  so impactful in my life.  I will treasure everything we shared together and  hold those memories close to my heart .   I Love You Forever ❤️🙏🏻

Mimaw was an incredible, and outstanding woman. I remember as a little girl her taking me to get dolls, and later gifting me ones she made throughout her life. She was very special to me, and I looked up to her. She was always so supportive of my school and I’ll miss her quick wits. Thank you Mimaw, for teaching me to excel and work hard. I will miss you forever and think of you daily. I love you ❤️

I have always admired Aunt Liz! She welcomed me into the Simmons/Taylor clan and was the closest I had to a mother in law. She loved my little family so well and when Blythe wanted her to be her Mimaw, she sweetly told her yes. She was the grandmother I know Ila would have wanted to be. I am so glad she got to meet our Ila and pray Ila has inherited some of Liz's great qualities, especially her love for life and seeing the world. She loved my David like her own son and I loved seeing their relationship. I am so thankful  David had her support after he lost his mom because she and  Jack  instilled some very special qualities that have made him a wonderful man, husband and father.  She has been an inspiration to me and her spunk was one of the things I admired most. Her support when David got sick was priceless to me. She will be greatly missed by our family.

For as long as I can remember I have said, "I want to be like Mimaw when I grow up." 

I have always admired you, your spirit, and your zest for life. Many of my most treasured memories were made with you by my side and, despite living hundreds of miles apart, you never felt far from home. You have an indescribable warmth and energy that made others gravitate towards you--and we all know you never met a stranger.

Even more so, I am thankful for the values you instilled in my father, because those are priceless values he instilled in me and my siblings. So I thank you for being a shining example in our lives--the way you lived and loved is something I strive to emulate. 

I was lucky enough to be brought into a family that included you. I love you and I can't wait to see you again--make sure your poker hand is ready. 

Christine Gonzalez’ Memories of Liz:

It was a pleasure of having met Liz through the Leavengood family.

I was honored when Barry and Sonia invited me to visit Liz at her residence in Leisure World for Easter.  I also had a chance to be with Liz, Barry and Sonia when they went to Santa Barbara.  We had a grand time.

Liz always made me feel at ease and part of the family.

I was amazed at the talent she had in making vases and dolls.  Every time we visited her, I enjoyed looking at her latest handmade dolls.  I recall one Christmas Liz gave me a vase she made.  I was without words.  She made me feel as though I was family.  At another event, a year or two later, she gave me one of her dolls dressed in red.  Again, I was without words of expression.

I have treasured and will continue to treasure these thoughtful gifts.

I am so grateful to have known Liz.  She was an intelligent, witty, strong woman and told you like it was!

I will miss her and her laughter.

With much love,

Christine


To My Aunt Liz,
You were instrumental in helping find my pathway through life. You truly honored my Mother’s request to watch over her boy’s! You were loved and will be missed.
With Love,
David Simmons

I had the pleasure of meeting Liz at Beltone of Central California, Hanford California.  I will always remember her classy style and quick wit. She was always beautifully dressed and never a hair out of place.  I will miss her. Rest in paradise my gorgeous friend. My thoughts and prayers to her family. 

Memorial Service

Harold Walker Taylor

OBITUARY

Elizabeth Margaret Leavengood

February 25, 1924 – November 21, 2019

People’s Funeral Chapel

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