ASHTABULA — Elizabeth Nordquest, loving wife of the late Paul Nordquest and devoted mother of David, Dennis and of the late Rev. Joyce Nordquest Adams, passed away at the Cleveland Clinic on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013, at the age of 89.
Elizabeth worked for the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company after graduating from Ashtabula High School, Class of 1941. In 1944, she married Sergeant Paul Nordquest of the US Army Air Corps, while he was on a brief leave from the service, following active duty in Europe. She accompanied him to bases stateside and following the war returned with Paul to Ashtabula, where she undertook her greatest task, building a family that was and will forever remain grateful and devoted to her and to her memory.
She was from her youth an active member of Harris Memorial Presbyterian Church and more recently, was a congregant of First Presbyterian Church. At Harris Memorial, she served as a Deacon and as an officer and member of the Women’s Club and the Golden Circle. For many years, she and her husband sang in the Harris Memorial Church Choir.
She loved music and played clarinet, piano and electronic organ and keyboard. She and her late husband were avid readers and often returned from the Ashtabula Public Library with an armload of books. She especially enjoyed mysteries and more recently, the work of contemporary Christian novelists.
Elizabeth was an active member of the Chestnut Street PTA and served as a local election judge. She was an excellent cook and baker, whose pies were often bought before church or school bake sales began. She made wonderful nisu. She enjoyed sewing crafts, making jackets, scarves, sweaters, gloves, slippers and all manner of costumes for the family.
Despite many health problems over the years, she remained in the words of a friend, an “indomitable spirit” and made, until her final illness, remarkable recoveries. She retained an ever-youthful cheerfulness and found and radiated real joy in her meetings with friends and family. A friend of eighty years called her “the nicest, most caring person I have ever known,” a newer friend “the most gracious.” Ever interested in new things, she turned to e-mail and internet chat to keep friendships current. Loved by all who knew her, Elizabeth will be greatly missed and gratefully remembered.
Surviving her are her two sons, David Nordquest of Erie, Pa. and Dennis (Mary Alice) Nordquest of Hudson, Ohio; her granddaughter, Megan Nordquest Schwallie; and two brothers, Rev. Lynn Scovil of Wisconsin and John E. Scovil of Texas.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lynn and Edna Scovil; her husband, Paul; her daughter, Joyce Elaine Nordquest Adams; and three sisters, Mary Jeanette, Ella Jean and Shirley.
Funeral Service will be held 11 a.m., Monday, March 4th, at First Presbyterian Church, 4317 Park Ave., Ashtabula, with the Rev. Dr. Stephen Long officiating. Burial will be in Saybrook Township Cemetery.
Calling Hours will be from 3 to 5 p.m., Sunday, March 3rd, at the Ashtabula home of FLEMING & BILLMAN FUNERAL DIRECTORS, 526 W. Prospect Road, Ashtabula and from 10:30 a.m. until the time of Service, Monday, at the Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the memorial fund of First Presbyterian Church or to Ashtabula Community Action Agency’s Meals on Wheels program.
Guest book and obituary at fleming-billman.com and starbeacon.com.
