Boswell, Elizabeth (1944-2022)

BOSWELL, EVANS, COOPER, MASON

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 7/5/2022 at 16:43:02

Elizabeth Boswell of Vancouver, Washington, our loving wife, mother, and grandmother died June 28, 2022 at the age of 78. She was born March 16, 1944, to John and Frances Evans in Eldora, Iowa. At the time of her birth, her father was serving in the Pacific for the U.S. Navy during WWII. He did not see Liz until she was 1 ½ years old.

Liz grew up in Boone Iowa moving to Des Moines before 8th grade in 1957. She graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy in 1962 and subsequently married Kent Boswell on Feb 16, 1963, at St Catherine’s in Burlingame, California. Together they raised 3 children. Liz adored her family and in return her family adored their wonderful wife and mother.

Liz lived a very full and happy life as a wife, mother, grandmother, and best friend. She enriched the lives of all who were around her. From her prim and proper Catholic school girl up-bringing to her being the loving “grandma to the rescue”, she was always a caring and compassionate person with high morals and ethics. Liz had a passion for flowers and flower gardens, eventually planting and nurturing a rose garden with almost 70 roses. Later, she took piano lessons and loved playing and learning new things to play- a dream of hers from childhood. Liz was extremely dedicated in the support of her husband’s career, goals, and dreams. She was always there for him, success, or failure, it never mattered; he always had her full support. Many times, over the years, the family moved in pursuit of career goals, and/or family happiness. Every time they moved into a new house, she created a home full of love and warmth that later they would be sorry to leave. During the holidays and on many other occasions, she always opened the family home to extended family, friends, and neighbors for large home cooked meals. She could always be counted on by anyone who needed her help.

Liz was a great wife, but my-o-my what a Mom. She always knew what to do. The guidance and leadership she provided for her family created a close-knit harmonious household. On quite a few occasions, Liz volunteered at St. Euphrasia School as a chaperone for field trips. All the kids would always try to get in Liz’s group as she was known as the nicest mom. Her children lovingly recall the after school/work teas at the kitchen table where they discussed religion and daily events in their lives. Their views on a merciful, just, and forgiving God all came from their mother’s guidance. She was a great teacher from learning to color in coloring books to the proper decorum, manners and maturity expected as each child reached another stage in their lives.

As a grandmother, she is affectionately remembered for having Grandpa sleep on the couch; so that she could share her big bed with her granddaughters during the holidays. Then, there were the American Girl Dolls, each customized along with the clothes she made for them, for each granddaughter. And of course, all the grandchildren remember going to the dollar store, wrapping the selected dollar store items and the subsequent Bingo games where the kids won the dollar store prizes. Liz went on to become an expert cake baker, collecting many special cake pans for baking cakes on each of her grandchildren's birthdays and for other special events in their lives. In the true spirit of being there for others, Liz extended the special cake baking to the girls at a juvenile home, where her daughter worked.

Liz’s love, devotion and compassion for her family and friends touched each of them on a very personal level. Her kindness, generosity, and patience always made each of them feel special, and indeed, she was a very special person. My Liz, our Mom, is a big loss to our family but her love will live on in us forever.

Liz is survived by her husband of 59 years Kent, two children Sarah Boswell of San Ramon, California and Michael Boswell of Vancouver, Washington, son-in-law David Cooper of San Leandro, California, grandchildren McCoy Mason of Los Angeles, California, Emily Cooper of Chico, California, Zelda Mason of Seattle, Washington, and Katie Cooper of Seattle, Washington and one brother Richard Evans (Roberta) of Las Vegas, Nevada. She was preceded in death by her daughter Dr. Susan Elizabeth Cooper, her parents, sisters Mary Bradley and Johan Meagher, and brother Phillip Evans. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Liz's family will greet friends from 4:00pm to 6:00pm, Monday, July 11, 2022, at Dunn's Chapel, 2121 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50312. Her funeral service will be the following day, Tuesday, 10:00am at Dunn's with a procession to Resthaven Cemetery for burial.