In Memoriam

Because my mother had just one brother and my father was an only child, my sister and I weren't long on extended family. We had only two first cousins. Now we have just one.

Liz Sedler 1941-2014
Photo taken in 2011 at
Davenport Hotel, Spokane, Wash.

Our family (mom, dad, and two daughters) lived in Seattle. Our uncle's family (uncle, aunt, and two daughters) lived in Cleveland. Between gasoline rationing during WWII, the lack of an Interstate system, and very different interests and focus, our two families rarely got together. By the time the four of us cousins were adults in the early '60s, all of us had gone our separate ways--and very different ways they were.

After our sibling-parents died (many decades ago), contact between families completely ceased. We might as well have had zero cousins. Then, in the late '90s, my sister located the older of the two, Margaret, living then in South Carolina. Margie put us in touch with her younger sister, Liz, who was living in Idaho. Over the subsequent years we developed a comfortable rapport with Margie, thanks to the Internet, telephone, and an in-person visit my sister made. It's lovely to be connected with Cousin Margie, a funny, smart, selfless woman whose present life is dedicated to rescuing animals (click on the link and follow the path).

Liz, although gracious, was less available--less interested in cozying up to long-lost cousins. 

Sis and I finally arranged a meeting with her a few years ago when our mutual, long-deceased grandfather was honored at a centennial celebration in Spokane, Washington. Liz drove several hours from her home in Idaho to have lunch with us. We had a lovely time chatting about our shared family heritage, and promised to keep better in touch. Compared to the first seven decades of our existence, we did do better--but we never progressed beyond the 'barely know you' stage.

Liz died last month. As I read online homage to her, I began to comprehend what a remarkable a woman she was. I'd like to share this lovely tribute to her, which appears on the Kootenai Environmental Alliance Web site.

May she rest in peace.