Some of my favorite memories with Elizabeth were visiting her and Uncle Joe’s home. As soon as we walked in, we were greeted by the smell of paper and the comfort of family time around the table. Uncle Joe and Elizabeth always made sure we got a popsicle from the Swan man — mine was always the strawberry one with real fruit inside. She made the best pizza, too, and it became a regular thing when we visited.
My sister and I loved exploring their backyard that backed up to the creek — we always found little treasures there. Sometimes we even got to spend the night, and it felt like such an adventure. Elizabeth had a real eye for a good deal and absolutely loved her Goodwill finds. It wasn’t unusual to bump into her at the Covington Goodwill, or for her to proudly show us her latest treasures when we visited. She’d hold them up with a sparkle in her eye, sharing the bargain she’d scored. As a little girl, I was always so impressed by her — and by my Uncle Joe, too.