A Buick dealer in Monroe gave Liz her first real job, without even an interview. She had just turned 16 and her dad, who owned the dealership, asked if she wanted a job. Liz promptly said “No.” He promptly responded, “well, you’ve got one, be here at 4 o’clock.” From that day until she graduated from high school, Liz worked in the parts department. After two years at Mott Junior College, Liz transferred to Western and got her degree with a major in elementary education.
Just before graduating from Western, while attending the Thanksgiving Parade in Monroe, Liz met the father of a friend of hers. He asked Liz what she was doing, and when she responded that she was about to graduate in elementary education, he said “well, you’ve got a job.” He was an elementary school principal in Monroe.
We all know Llz to be friendly and personable. But, come on, two jobs without even having to interview?
Liz began her teaching career, got married, and gave birth to her daughter Susie. Her husband , who was involved in “a terrible accident” shortly after they were married, died when Susie was 18. He was the first successful lung transplant at the University of Michigan. Liz eventually remarried and she and Susie took up residence on her new husband’s farm near Milan. Liz and Susie quickly grew to love farm life. Susie still lives on the farm.
The origin of pickle ball at Merry Lou Murray Recreation Center (MLM) is still uncertain. We have to hear more about this from Bill Wen and others. But Liz says she was one of the first people to play at MLM. After moving here from Milan in 2007, Liz did not know anybody, but says that she soon met, through pickle ball, “all kinds of great people,” many of whom have become part of her social life as well.
Without hesitation, Liz says her dad was the most influential person in her life. He played tackle for the University of Michigan football team, and actually kicked the winning field goal against Minnesota in 1933, and he wasn’t even a kicker. He was given the game ball and, of course, the Little Brown Jug remained in Ann Arbor.* One of his team mates that year was a guy named Gerry Ford. Liz has been a life- long Wolverine fan and has attended games since she was old enough to walk. She says her dad taught her all the right values – mainly to be honest and to always value the importance of family and friends. She is now busy with friends and grandchildren and says “I love life. Every morning I wake up and I’m glad I’m here.”
The most challenging thing about pickle ball for Liz is “making my feet move.” Can we all relate to that?
One thing on her Bucket List was recently fulfilled when Liz went on a cruise through the inland passage to Alaska and had a chance to do some kayaking on the way. She describes the scenery as spectacular.
Liz says she is “adventurous…. a little bit.” She did, however, say she would turn down an offer to be on the first round-trip rocket to Mars. Although she did allow that it would “probably be fun.” Liz is now “77 and a half.”
* Liz recalls the year as being 1933. And, yes, the Wolverines did play in the Big House in the 30s. The Michigan Stadium was built in 1927, seating capacity 72,000.