Elizabeth S. Card

Elizabeth Dorothea Strobel Schoenfeld Card, 'Elly', our beautiful mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away peacefully on April 19, 2015 exactly one week following her eighty-third birthday, staying with us until she knew her youngest great-grandson had safely arrived. Born April 12, 1932 in New York City, Elly was the third child and 'baby of the family' of Josef Alois Strobel and Gybertje (Bep) Slieker, immigrants from Czechoslovakia and the Netherlands, respectively. Elly was proud of her pioneering parents who came to America, the land she loved, but also cherished the heritage of her ancestors and passed the traditions, customs and stories from the old countries down to her children, grandchildren and now to her great-grandchildren. Elly grew up on the east coast moving west to Arizona and then to Utah as a junior in high school. She graduated from East High School in Salt Lake City, Utah and spent most of her adult life there—but always considered herself a 'New Yorker.' Elly possessed an ardor for learning and education, for travel, for art and for history. A writer by both passion and trade, she earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Utah where she affiliated with Delta Delta Delta and went on to work as a reporter for the Deseret News in Salt Lake City, Utah for 20 years. She was the first woman editor of the Soroptimist International Magazine, was a member of the National League of Pen Women, wrote and published numerous articles and books and received many awards through the years for her journalistic endeavors. A collector of all things beautiful, Elly's home was adorned with treasures from around the world. Her hands were never still for she always had a project, whether refinishing antiques, creating stained glass, quilting, cooking, painting, sewing, gardening or writing. Elly loved people of all ages and all sorts and especially enjoyed a good laugh. As all who knew her can attest: she was the life of the party, bringing laughter and smiles to those around her even to her last days. Two of her beloved great-grandchildren, Ella and Carson, came weekly to 'clean' her house and she entertained them, working on puzzles, playing pranks and reading together. Elly maintained friendships with all her cousins in Europe, and with her childhood friends, writing often to many people around the world. She continued the genealogical work her mother had been so devoted to and was instrumental in securing records for genealogical research from many small villages in the Czech Republic. Elly married James Stanley Schoenfeld , June 5, 1950. Stan and Elly became the proud parents of three children, Mark (deceased 1982) Jamie (Preston) Naylor, and Marilee (Bill Campbell) Nickelson. (Stan and Elly divorced in 1988.) Elly was overjoyed to find the 'love of her life,' William (Bill) Cummings Card whom she wed in 1991. Their marriage was solemnized in the Bountiful, Utah, LDS Temple. Bill and Elly traveled the world and loved and laughed together for seven wonderful years. Elly cared for Bill as he fought a courageous two-year battle against cancer—he so wished to stay with his dear Elly. He died in 1998. A life long and faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints, Elly's belief in the hereafter was steadfast, her love of our Savior Jesus Christ full of gratitude and awe. Our beautiful, intelligent mother taught us to love learning, to value education, to appreciate freedom, to see the beauty in the world around us. She loved her ten grandchildren, Jenny (Nathan) Richards, Jason Naylor (Julie Wicks), Sarah (Justin) Browne, Laura Naylor (Trey Beck), Matthew Naylor, Andrew Naylor, Emilee Naylor, Anna (Jeff) Greenwood, Katie Nickelson, Molly (Nick) Maestas, and each adored their unique and vibrant grandmother. There was never a dull moment when Grandma was around. She has left the wonderful legacy of a life lived to its fullest to her ten great-grandchildren, Grant, Jack, Ella, Caroline, Carson, Asher, Ruby, Shylah, Zander, and her great grandson Brock who was born just hours before her death. During the later part of her life, Elly lived in Colorado near her younger daughter Marilee and her daughters, Anna, Katie and Molly who all lovingly and devotedly cared for her as she gradually became affected by dementia. Elly lived an exuberant life, always finding joy and laughter, and persevering through adversity with grace. Preceding her in death were her beloved husband, Bill Card, her parents, her son Mark, her sister JoAnn Hibberd and her brother Edwin Strobel. We love you, Elly, and will miss your smiling face! In her memory, the family would be grateful for contributions to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, CFF, (daughter Marilee Nickelson) https://www.cff.org/GetInvolved/ManyWaysToGive/Donate/index.cfm or Congenital Hyperinsulinism through Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), (great-granddaughter Shylah Browne) http://congenitalhi.org/donate/ or https://give.chop.edu/page/contribute/congenital-hyperinsulinism-center (These sites give options for donating in Elizabeth's memory, and may ask for her address. It is 529 W 18th St., Pueblo, CO 81003)