Enjoying some cake.
A star athlete, she always played soccer, basketball, lacrosse and softball with great intensity. When some Boston Bruins hockey players saw this photo while visiting Elizabeth in the hospital, they immediately commented on her good soccer form.
With her big brother Ben on a Make-A-Wish trip to the California coast.
Leaving for the first day of school with her sisters, Catherine, Maria and Therese. After a brain tumor was found in January 2013, Elizabeth wasn’t able to go to school for the rest of the year, so this was a big day for her! She attended the Montrose School in Medfield, MA until late November when she became too blind to read.
2003. Dressed in plastic grocery bags with her beloved sisters, Therese and Maria.
At her uncle’s wedding reception
Knowing that Grannie Schickel loved a certain book, Elizabeth spent time reading to her. Elizabeth was very attentive and loving to her grandmother.
A visit to the Outer Banks, North Carolina.
Wrapped in Grannie Schickel’s loving arms.
At the hospital for a treatment, Elizabeth was held tight by her beloved nurse Liz.
Holding Maria McQuade, a coach’s daughter, on the sidelines as her soccer team played a game.
Maria, Elizabeth and her Dad at Mary Hill Farm with Grannie Schickel.
Being kissed by her Mom and Dad. Elizabeth was so joyful.
At her first radiation treatment, Elizabeth asked to have a picture taken with the radiation team.
At Mary Hill Farm, letting the calf lick her fingers.
Elizabeth, in a pink sweater, running off the porch at the start of an Easter egg hunt!
At Montrose School, she loved art class and worked with great concentration.
At home praying the rosary five weeks after her brain surgery. At this point, Elizabeth had completed two weeks of radiation treatments.
Elizabeth, at home with her five sisters, Catherine, Maria, Hannah, Elysha and Therese.
Feeding a horse at Grannie Schickel’s Maryhill Farm as her sister, Maria, looks on.
Elizabeth was honored at a lacrosse game by an opposing team dressed in blue and by her fellow teammates in red.
The temporary marker at Elizabeth’s grave in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Natick, MA. Elizabeth’s grave overlooks Dug Pond, where she spent many summer days swimming and going to the small island in the middle of the pond with her sisters and friends.
Elizabeth prays during Mass at the Montrose School, which she went to daily during the school year.
Being held by her Dad three days before going home to God.
Fall 2013. Elizabeth with her sister, Maria, Aunt Mary, Ron and Gram.
Hugged by her beloved sister, Catherine.
Celebrating with teammates - someone must have scored!
Beloved by her wonderful school friends who were so faithful, kind and good to her throughout her illness.
Elizabeth’s celebrates her last Christmas with her Mom, Dad, brother and sisters.
A few days before going home to God. The small icon hanging above her bed was brought down from her bedroom to the family room where she spent her last weeks. While she could still see, Elizabeth would often lie in bed and turn and look intently at this icon while praying before bedtime.
Elizabeth walking with her sister, Therese, and her father after stopping to look at the gorgeous view.
Because of her cancer, Elizabeth received the Sacrament of Confirmation from Bishop Walter J. Edyvean on July 14, 2013, a year before her classmates. Given her difficulty walking, Bishop Edyvean offered to go to where she was sitting for the photograph, but Elizabeth wanted to stand with him in front of the altar where she promptly held onto the Bishop’s crosier in order to steady herself.
Enjoying some refreshment with her Gram, sisters, Mom and Aunt Mary.
August 2013. At Yosemite National Park with her family.
Getting some fresh air with her devoted sister, Therese.
The Papal Conclave – white smoke! With great excitement, Elizabeth watched as Pope Francis came to the balcony after being chosen to be the Holy Father of the Catholic Church.
Decorating the front door for St. Patrick’s Day.
Christmas 2012. Making sweet rolls for Christmas with her sisters.
Delicately making an apple pie at Uncle Bill and Aunt Trina’s house.
At a Montrose School play with Fr. Dick (Fr. Richard Rieman), the school’s beloved Chaplain.
Speedy, strong and tenacious!
Elizabeth was always grateful to others even when she was very sick. Here she is making someone a beautiful “Thank You!” card.
Elizabeth continued to smile and didn’t complain even though she was suffering with terrible headaches. You can see the pain in her eyes. She had an MRI and was diagnosed with a brain tumor just a few days after this photo was taken.
This 2012 family Christmas photo almost didn’t happen because Maria, in white, had a very high fever. Maria rose to the occasion, and this last family photo was taken just one month before Elizabeth was found to have a brain tumor.
While going with her dad to the emergency room just after her brain tumor was found by an MRI, Elizabeth said, “This is going to make me stronger.” Just a little later, she said, “I’m getting stronger.” Sensing that he should take her picture, her dad asked if he could. She said “Yes” and wiped away her tears, gave a thumbs-up, a big smile, and said, “How’s this?” Elizabeth’s cheerfulness in the face of suffering had begun.
Still smiling. Elizabeth’s sisters, Hannah and Elysha, tucked her into bed the night before her brain surgery.
Family picture
Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Elizabeth helped bring the gifts to Cardinal O’Malley when he came to celebrate Mass at the Montrose School.
Dressed as a Zoo Keeper for Spirit Week at her school - Elizabeth liked to have fun!
Elizabeth wanted to make a Get Well card for her hospital roommate, Hannah, but when she tried to write her left hand wasn’t working very well because of the brain surgery, so she dictated the card to her sister and signed the card as best she could.
With her sister, Maria, on the California coast.
With some dear school friends.
With her sister, Hannah, and Grannie Schickel.
Elizabeth opens gifts from friends who were so generous to her when she became sick.
Elizabeth with her mother Kathy at a family wedding.
Elizabeth plays soccer on Miracle Field at her beloved Montrose School.