Establishing A New Tradition
Plant a tree in memory of Lisabeth
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Stan Merrell uploaded photo(s)
Monday, December 30, 2019
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With the recent passing of the musician Neil Innes, I thought it would be appropriate to share these pictures I took of Liz with Neil. I trust that Liz is sharing her immense love of music with Neil and all of the great musicians and friends we've all lost over the years.
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The family of Lisabeth Michael uploaded a photo
Thursday, August 2, 2018
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Dan Bindert posted a condolence
Thursday, May 28, 2015
I had the good fortune to get to know Liz during the WXXI days...the very definition of a person who gladly marched to her own beat, in the best possible way. She introduced me to Rahsaan Roland Kirk's "Bright Moments" and so many other cool offbeat things. Thanks for sharing all of the friendship, music and Bright Moments with all of us. Shine on Liz!
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Pat Murphy posted a condolence
Saturday, May 2, 2015
Listening to liz's shows always made my day brighter.
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Roger K. Levy posted a condolence
Sunday, April 26, 2015
I am so glad that I recorded some of her shows so that I will have her voice with me as long as cassettes will last. Her son bought a bicycle at my store so we will have a chance to remain friends. That is important. Thanks to Scott Wallace for bringing her name to the Memorial Service at the Unitarian Church today.
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Stefanie Singer posted a condolence
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Here's a copy of the eulogy: Hi, I’m Stefanie Singer. Liz was one of my oldest and dearest friends. We met when she was 18 and I was 19. We were next-door neighbors in a dorm at Brandeis University in Boston. She was very involved with the radio station there and she hung out with a group of funny, crazy, and witty characters. She was politically tuned in and involved with social justice issues. Topics at the time were no nukes, free soviet Jewry, and apartheid in South Africa. Our little cottage-sized dorm on the edge of campus was the very same dorm that Abbie Hoffman lived in when he was at Brandeis. We found that pretty exciting. She was my first friend to move off campus and do normal things like cook. She once invited me for dinner and made lasagna. I was shocked. I never saw a friend actually make a real meal before. I thought she was channeled into some esoteric knowledge that I knew nothing about.
From that time forward, our lives kept intersecting. She transferred to the U of R, and coincidentally a few years later, I moved up here too. Our kids, Aaron and Lydia were born exactly 3 weeks apart. That was exciting to go through the pregnancies together. She was working at Kodak at the time. It was 1999. Kodak had a millennium new-years photo contest: The person who brought in the best new years photo won a Kodak camera. Liz submitted a photo of the two of us on New Years Eve, written on our big pregnant bellies in lipstick was “Happy New Year 2000”. She won the photo contest and got a camera. I think it was Advataix. Remember the Advantix cameras? It’s a pretty funny picture.
I was so happy when she, Dave, and Aaron moved from their house on Edgemont in the city to Pittsford, only 10 minutes away from us. Who would have ever thought back in 1984, that we would still be together in our adult lives. It’s pretty amazing.
One of my favorite authors, Malcolm Gladwell in his book “The Tipping Point” wrote about people that he called “Connectors”: People with a special gift for bringing the world together, people who know a lot of people. He explained it this way: Think of the people you know (who aren’t family or co-workers) and trace back how you met them. For instance: my friend Robin. I met her from her husband John. I met John from Liz. My husband Mike: I met him at Judith’s party. I met Judith from Paul. I met Paul from Liz. Gladwell said that if you do this, you will likely keep finding one person who most of your associates lead back to. And that person is a connector. He said it’s really not a circle of friends that we have, but rather a pyramid. Well, who was that person for me? Who’s at the top of MY pyramid? It was Liz. I didn’t even realize until I tried this that I met my husband from her, and most of my friends. My kids wouldn’t be here without Liz. How many of you have Liz as your connector? How different would your lives be if you had not known her? Think about that.
Liz had a huge passion for music and radio. She had various radio shows her entire adult life, starting with WBRS at Brandeis, then Folk Lunch on WRUR in the 80s. She was the late night Jazz Princess AKA eine kleine nacht DJ on WXXI in the 90s. She did a wonderful All Weather Lunch these last few years, and just recently, The Electric Circus on WRUR. She had an incredible knowledge of music, the musicians, and lots of trivia related to the artists and the songs. She was a walking music encyclopedia. And her shows were never random. She planned and researched every single show. They flowed; they had themes, purpose. Her shows were smart and eclectic. And the music sounded really good. She didn’t just play music; she educated the listeners. She entertained us. She got me into radio too, in 1985 when I came to Rochester, she taught me how to DJ. I did Folk Lunch for 8 years. It was one of the most fun and gratifying things I ever did. Thank you Liz.
She loved her show, and continued to do it, schlepping her big stack of CDs to the studio every week, even when she could hardly walk anymore. She did her show almost until the very end. Liz spread her love through the music she played. And she touched so many people with it. Her gift to us is… the music she left behind.
And her other passion is her love for Dave and Aaron. She knew Dave at the U of R, and then years they later ran into each other at a Jewish education day ay the JCC. Well, she met her match. You guys made an awesome couple. And I know she felt the same way. One friend on FB said: I’ll never forget when you introduced me to David. The twinkle you always had in your eye was just a little bit brighter, and the ever present smile on you face was just a little bit bigger, and I knew at that very second that you had found your soul mate.” And then Aaron came along. You were so cute with those big cheeks. Aaron, she was so proud of you and so glad to be your mother. All your memories, your travels together, and everything else you shared will keep her alive in your heart. Broadstairs, and that crazy horse puppet, playing fiddle in the woods, your trips to New York, the Shabbat blessings, and all your other memories will keep you close to her, and her close to you. She loves you so, so much.
What else do I remember about Liz? Her dimples. She had these great dimples when she smiled. Her passion for social justice: In 1986, she went on the Peace March. The plan was to walk from Calif to Washington D. C. It was amazing; they would walk 20 miles and set up camp. Every day, hundreds of people walking 20 miles and then camping in the next town. Unfortunately, it fell apart before making it to DC, but she had some great experiences and met some wonderful people. And she really, never lost her love of walking.
In the late 80s or early 90s she went to Israel for about a year, and same theme: rare experiences, cool people, adventure, and good times. Her religion was very important to her. She volunteered at the Jewish book festivals, and we attended movies at the Jewish Film Festival together every year. She loved to celebrate Shabbat every week. She made the best challahs from scratch.
In conversation, Liz would always toss in quotes from all sorts of obscure material. Her favorites were Rocky and Bullwinkle, Fire Sign Theatre, Stan Freeberg, Tom Lehrer, Frank Zappa, and I’m sure others. I don’t even know where half of them came from. But they were always funny and frequently bizarre. A long time ago, when I first met her parents and brothers, OMG—they all did it too. I think they got it from their dad. Their conversations were so all over the place, with puns and jokes flying like crazy. And I know Jon is still at it. And I see Aaron has that same sardonic wit. Punny and funny.
There is no one like Liz. She’s one of a kind. Liz’s cousin Billy summed it up in his FB comment: A beautiful, bright, wife, mother, sister, cousin, Jew, performer, historian, friend and green citizen. An example of courage, compassion, and conviction to her family and us all. Thank you Liz for being you, and for touching our lives. Good journey.
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Stan W Merrell posted a condolence
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Liz, you will be missed... as Doug Curry & others have noted, your love of music brought joy to the community. Our thoughts are with your family & loved ones.
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Erich Wendt posted a condolence
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
My deepest condolences to you both, and to all Liz's relations and friends...she holds a unique and fond place in my heart, and all of ours, I'm sure.
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Janine Hunt-Jackson posted a condolence
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Thinking of the two of you. Jay sends love.
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Lisa B Bayer posted a condolence
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
I am so sorry for your loss. Liz had a great sense of humor and a wonderful smile
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Mike C Murray posted a condolence
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Liz was a beautiful person with an amazing connection to music and to people. We will miss her.
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Camilla S Schade posted a condolence
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Oh dear such a shock. I will so miss her voice and her music selections and her wonderful knowledge and intelligence. She has enriched my life.
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Shawn Beldue posted a condolence
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. I always remember Lizabeth's smile and energy towards Aaron and school.
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Tracy Dickerson posted a condolence
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Doug and Aaron I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
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doug a curry posted a condolence
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
A calm and gentle friend to the music and the people. You are missed, but we find comfort in your memory.
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doug a curry posted a condolence
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
A calm and gentle friend to the music and the people. You are missed, but we find comfort in your memory.
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Patti Johnson posted a condolence
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Liz- a bright a kind person and a true friend to those who were lucky enough to know her. May family and friends find peace and comfort in all things she touched.
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Bonnie Abrams posted a condolence
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
David & Aaron,
I know there are no words that can comfort you in your grief but know you are in our hearts, thoughts & prayers. May you be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
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Racgel Smookler posted a condolence
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
What a truly beautiful soul. I am so blessed to have met Liz. May her memory be for a blessing and may you all be surrounded and embraced by your loving family and community
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Leslie Weissman Trauber posted a condolence
Monday, April 13, 2015
In Allentown growing up always a smile was on Liz's face. Great memories from school and synagogue
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Linda Ratliff posted a condolence
Monday, April 13, 2015
Dave and Aaron, we are so very sad about the loss of Liz. I always enjoyed seeing your sweet family at the school and walking around the neighborhood. The way you all loved and appreciated each other so much was always very obvious. You are all blessed to have experienced that. If you Ever need Anything, please let us know.
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susan danish posted a condolence
Monday, April 13, 2015
My dearest and longest true friend. Liz expanded my musical, intellectual and personal limits. She has always been kind to me.
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Jonathan D Kuhns posted a condolence
Monday, April 13, 2015
We are saddened by the loss of one of our classmates. Our thoughts and prayers go out to David, Aaron, Family and Friends. - Parkland High School Class of 1980
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Emily and Peter Brincka posted a condolence
Monday, April 13, 2015
Dave and Aaron, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Liz. She has such a special light. I loved the songs and music she played on her radio programs. So much I cannot find the words to say. My heart is aching.
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Suzanne Freinberg posted a condolence
Monday, April 13, 2015
Liz, The world was a better place with you in it. You will be missed! My thoughts and prayers go out to David and Aaron! RIP. Suzanne Freinberg
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Sue & Ray Baumler posted a condolence
Monday, April 13, 2015
Dear Dave and Aaron, You are in our thoughts. Liz was a courageous woman and too young to leave you - and all of us. We greatly admired her sense of humor and determination.
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dennis c civilett posted a condolence
Monday, April 13, 2015
This makes me so sad loved her show and I often called and told her so my deepest sympathy
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meg grindrod posted a condolence
Monday, April 13, 2015
Way too soon to lose you Liz. Your g humor and good natured energy made my world a brighter place. I especially enjoyed you wide embrace of music of many different kinds.
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Amy and Scott Wallace posted a condolence
Monday, April 13, 2015
Dave and Aaron, Liz was such a gentle soul. You both stood by her and supported beautifully in her journey. She will be greatly missed and remembered fondly! Her music brought her so much joy, hopefully it will continue to do the same for you. We are so glad to have had her in our lives, she made the world a better place!!!
Visitation
There will be no public period of mourning observed
Service Info
Funeral services will be, Tuesday, 2:30 PM in the All Seasons Chapel at White Haven Memorial Park [210 Marsh Rd].
Interment
interment to follow the services held in the chapel.
About Us
Opened as an alternative for our community, it is our mission to provide the Jewish population of Rochester with an affordable, modern and convenient choice at a time when the need is most important. We pledge to utilize our local ownership to offer a dignified array of services to Jewish families, and give back to the community we live in and serve.
Our Location
Brighton Memorial Chapel
3325 Winton Road South
Rochester, New York
14623
Phone: (585) 427-8520
Fax: (585) 424-6952
Email: brighton@brightonmc.com