Elizabeth Anne Smith "Liz" (20 Apr 1963 - 22 Oct 2014)

HI

I was so sad to learn that Liz had passed away. She was a inspirational woman with a truly beautiful soul. She was an wonderful teacher and mentor. I think of her often in my work and also how she helped me on a personal journey too. The world is a better place for having had you walk in it Liz. I will never forget you. Jo x

I am truly sad to learn that Liz has passed away. She had a really profound effect on me both personally and professionally-a really inspirational person. The world truly is a poorer place for her leaving it. Thanks for everything Liz.

I cannot believe it is one year since you left us. You are in my thoughts and missed. RIP Liz - Pete

Happy birthday for yesterday.
All the lads and girlfriends met at the grave to say hello and remember your day.
We know you are at peace but you will always be missed. x

A donation has been made by me in honour of Liz's memory and birthday but an error of the amount donated occurred on my previous message.

To Liz, a pure beautiful soul,
I only knew you for a short while but it was more than enough time for you to have left your magical and warm imprint on my heart forever.

I often think of you and miss you but i know you are up there in the night sky, my shining star lighting my way forward on the darkest nights.

keep shining brightly and thankyou for everything.

Happy Birthday.
From Pam.

First Mothers Day without you.
But me and the lads thinking of you every day.

I miss you ..... I know I never showed it when you were alive but you were literally like a second mum to me .... You taught me so much and you were an inscription ..... When I was in Spain somebody sang 'don't marry her marry me' on karaoke and I just broke down and ran into the toilet crying my eyes out talking to you and saying ' I know you wouldn't wNt ME to cry and that I should stay strong, you'd have loved to be here it'd be you up there singing that song all healthy and jolly '. Going from seing you all healthy and jolly then eating with you in Leonardo's all skinny and yellow . It made me feel sick . THAT WASNT YOU . I just wanted to close my eyes and when I opened them again you were you old self again ...... I haven't spoke to anybody about how I felt about you're death .
-WHY DO ALL THE BEST PEOPLE DIE
-IN A GARDEN OF FLOWERS WHICH ONES DO YOU PICK?
-THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ONES OF COURSE ❤️❤️

Condolences form everyone at Pancreatic Cancer Action. Liz was an inspiration.
From Ali and Janet who met her in 2013

Liz,

I will always remember your warmth, kindness and care for others. Your big heart, your generosity, how bright you shone, your beauty inside and out. Nothing was ever too much trouble, you were always there.

You were a wonderful tutor and inspiration, your passion for the counselling profession radiated from you. I feel privileged and grateful for that year, your love of your work was contagious and added to my determination.

In my heart I hold on to you. All the things that you taught me and gave to me I will take through into my future. I feel lucky to have known you, thank you Liz for touching my life.

A number of people asked me to put the words and poems read by the family at Liz's funeral on the site for those people who were unable to attend.

The Invitation by Oriah-Mountain-Dreamer / Read by Harry Smith

It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing. It doesn’t interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life’s betrayals or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain! I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it, or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own, if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, to be realistic, to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself; if you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul; if you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see beauty even when it’s not pretty, every day, and if you can source your own life from its presence. I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand on the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, “Yes!”

It doesn’t interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up, after the night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done to feed the children. It doesn’t interest me who you know or how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.

It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you, from the inside, when all else falls away. I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.




Courage by Andy Smith / Read By Andrew Smith

What is true courage?
Liz’s fight for life said more about her than any words ever could

Courage is a word often saved for the battlefield, but Liz fought her own battle, and it was harsh, unjust, relentless and as unforgiving as any soldier has experienced.

To live with and hold the devastating knowledge that her body would one day destroy itself from within and there was little anyone could do to stop it, is something only those faced with such circumstances will ever know.

Despite this devastating knowledge, and ensuing imposed death sentence she attempted to live every day with passion and verve as if it were her last.

She listened intently as her friends and family spoke about their lives and futures not knowing how long hers would be and whether she even had a future.

She never muttered a word when people told her about things they considered problems that were really insignificant in the scheme of life for one under such a shadow.

She supported, encouraged and helped everyone she met in the knowledge that no one could give her what she really needed.

She rode life’s roller coaster of emotions that teased her into believing that she may live, only to discover that the opposite was inevitable.

Of course she asked, why me? Of course she questioned what she had done to bring on this fate; and of course she was scared of dyeing, but she kept these feelings very close so her family and friends could manage their time with her.

How she smiled and found the passion and courage to fight on and on while at times racked with pain and having to watch normal life continue around her, we will all never know, but she did, and that is part of her legacy.

Liz was bigger than just her family and friends, she was a true inspiration. She gave everyone something special and she told them how to use it, without mentioning a word.

That gift is something no one will forget as that is probably the reason they are here today.
In her boys and in my heart she lives on, and we will never forget her or what she stood for.
Her resolve, integrity, congruence and serenity will stay with all who knew her.

If that’s not true courage I don’t what is.

This is a poem she loved as it said what she wanted to say come the time when we had to part.


If I Should Grow Frail Author Unknown / Read By Andrew Smith


If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain does keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done
For this – the last battle – can’t be won.

You will be sad I understand
But don’t let grief then stay your hand.
For on this day, more than the rest
Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn’t want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please let me go.

Take me to where my needs they’ll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end.
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.

Don’t grieve that is must now be you
Who has to decide this thing to do.
We’ve been so close – we two – these years,
Don’t let your heart hold any tears.

Contributions from the ceremony and wake.
They are much appreciated thank you.

In the time that we have known Liz we found her to be a great inspiration, Liz's family are all a credit to her strength and courage. Liz's passing is a great loss and she will be sadly missed by everyone that knew her.