Elizabeth Anne Hewitt Shadis was born on Easter Sunday, April 3, 1988 in Portland, the daughter of Anne Marie Hewitt of Bath and Matthew Alan Shadis of Edgecomb. Elizabeth died August 17, 2013 at her home in San Jose, Calif.

“Lizzie,” as her family knew her, was a brilliant, creative and much-loved child, full of curiosity and wonder for every aspect of the natural world, she loved the visual arts and enjoyed sharing the play of language and conversation. Lizzie divided time between the Pacific shore, the mountain landscapes of Santa Fe, and the pine woods of the Shadis family farm in Edgecomb.

Lizzie graduated from Santa Cruz High School in 2006 and attended Cabrillo College. Among the many occupations of her youth, Lizzie worked at Whaler's Bakery in Davenport, cleaned the catch of the day with fishermen on the docks of California, learned to make rocking chairs with a master woodworker, and apprenticed as a handcraft metalworker in New Mexico.

Lizzie was a talented artist and poet who loved to paint, sculpt, write and sing. Through her eyes, it seemed to those who knew her, were magnified the wonder and beauty of veins on a leaf, light through the trees, weathered lines on a smiling face. She was a compassionate friend and champion of all of God’s creatures; and held a special empathy for the homeless.

Lizzie, her family recalls, always added light to family gatherings, as she was always genuinely interested in what other people said, thought, felt, or needed; always bringing a touch of humor to the most serious moments.

Lizzie is also survived by her sisters, Sidney Hewitt of San Jose and Cassandra Pouliot of New Hampshire; grandparents, Sheila and John Hewitt of Bath and Ray and Pat Shadis of Edgecomb; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and very dear friends.

Lizzie’s life, here and in eternity, will be celebrated with Liturgy at Saint Patrick’s Church, Newcastle at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 6. A public reception, fellowship and sharing will follow in the church hall. All are welcome to both the Liturgy and the reception.