By Jason Sears

Spirited, caring, spunky, sassy, elegant, classy, opinionated, intelligent, friendly, kind and loving — are just a few words that can be used in describing the personality and life of Elizabeth Thorndike.

To some of you she was a few or even possibly all of these. To me, she was so much more.

She was the grandmother I never had.  She was the friend that never thought of herself before she thought of others. She was the sound of laughter even when you could not seem to smile.

Elizabeth has been around my family since before I was born.

She and EJ seemed to take my parents under their wings when they first moved to the island in the mid 70’s.

I will remember fondly the times growing up spent at their “get togethers” and barn socials and the times where I sat in awe of the stories that she and EJ would tell about their adventures in life.

And adventures they were.

There were tales of EJ at sea, and how the two of them met. Stories of traveling Europe in a Volkswagon van, shaking hands with the Pope and watching sunsets over the Mediterranean.

Chuckles over the quick wit and sharp stings from a comeback given by Elizabeth to riders in an elevator that did not know the difference between earned respect and entitlement.

Elizabeth loved her life, loved the people in her life and was not afraid to tell those around her just how much she loved them being with her.

Elizabeth was ahead of her time.

She was an “Alpha Female” long before anyone had ever comprehended the term.  She had the rare ability to combine being a lady and “one of the guys” all at the same time.

Her passion and loving nature could easily be followed by a sharp, quick witted strike that would leave you wondering  what the heck had just happened.

I don’t believe I have ever met a more caring person. EJ and Elizabeth both found great pleasure in helping others succeed.

I remember learning the value of an honest day’s labor helping EJ build a pond on his Friday Harbor property. Driving the tractor and digging drainage lines for hours, and then being told that by doing a great job I could hold my head high no matter what the circumstance.

Elizabeth loved putting little life lessons into everything.

I also remember being handed an envelope on my graduation night from Friday Harbor High School, and having Elizabeth say that this was part of the Thorndike Private Scholarship Program.

She just winked, smiled, and said that if I could keep up my grades, I would receive a check every semester at school. And I did.

Laughter, smiles, beauty, class and style are what Elizabeth was to us.

Let us remember that Elizabeth loved her family, friends and her island. She loved being with people, having a good time, and smiling whenever possible.

But most of all… she just loved.

— Jason Sears is the son of Bud and Jan Sears of Friday Harbor