Tonight, we adjourn our City Council meeting in honor of a dear friend of mine, Elizabeth (Liz) Blackwelder.
Liz was a devoted open-space advocate and a true equestrian. I was lucky to work with her on the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, and several important open space initiatives.
We bonded over our mutual love for open space, parks, trails, and animals.
Liz was known throughout her life for her dogged persistence and love of nature. From the first moment I met her, one thing was clear: Liz got things done!
Liz was born in 1920 in Atherton, California. The war interrupted her college career at Stanford University, but this didn’t slow her down.
She enlisted in the Navy and eventually attained the rank of lieutenant. After the war, she completed her college education at UCLA, where she met her husband Spencer.
Liz proved that age truly is “nothing but a number.” She made many of her greatest accomplishments during her 80’s and 90’s!
During her time as president of the La Canada Flintridge Trails Council, she was instrumental in acquiring 40 acres of open space, which led to the creation of a network of trails. Countless cyclists, hikers, joggers and equestrians enjoy these trails today.
Liz passed away at home, in the early morning hours of January 15. She was 93 years old. She is survived by her daughter, three sons and two grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Liz’s name may be sent to the La Canada Flintridge Guild of the Huntington Memorial Hospital.
Our thoughts are with her family at this time. Though Liz has left us, her spirit and her impact on open space, lives on forever.