Elizabeth Gail Gazewood

Elizabeth Gazewood passed away peacefully at her home in Surf Pines at the age of 80 on August 19, 2018, with her husband and daughter present. Elizabeth was afflicted with advancing Alzheimers, but a CT Scan taken on July 13, 2018 revealed that Elizabeth had colon cancer that had spread to her liver which resulted in her death. Elizabeth was born to Thomas Earl and Callie Hazel Cornelius in Sanger, California on December 2, 1937, being the third of six children. Preceded in death by her brother, Thomas Cornelius, Jr., Elizabeth is survived by her husband of 58 plus years, Robert, and her son Bob, Jr., daughter, Kathleen Leader, granddaughter, Molly Gazewood, sister, Helen Marquardt, and brothers, Kenneth, James and John. Following her graduation from Sanger High School in June 1954, Elizabeth enrolled in the pre-nursing program at Reedley College, Reedley, California. Elizabeth completed her nursing studies and training at the Highland School of Nursing, Oakland, California in January 1959 and moved to Seattle, Washington to practice as a registered nurse at Virginia Mason Hospital. Elizabeths love for children caused her to specialize in pediatrics. Elizabeth and Robert met in May 1959 at an Arthur Murray dance party for ballroom dancing students and were married on November 21, 1959 at the Shrine of St. Therese Catholic Church in Fresno, California and throughout their marriage they exhibited their love of dancing together. In 1960, they moved to Santa Monica, California and Elizabeth practiced at St. Johns Hospital, the hospital frequented by Hollywood stars. Before moving to Olympia, Washington in July 1966 and practicing at St. Peters Hospital, Elizabeth and Robert lived in Fresno, California and Elizabeth practiced at Valley Childrens Hospital while Robert finished college at Fresno State. In November 1980, Elizabeth and Robert moved to Clatsop County where they built their home in the Surf Pines community in 1982. Elizabeth was a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother and she is deeply missed. She loved animals and birds, flowers, gardening and was staunchly prolife. She was an avid reader of books of all subject matters with many books related to her Irish heritage. Elizabeth was the consummate Irish lady with her wit, sense of humor, laughter, smiling eyes and mischievous smile. Elizabeth was always giving to others as she dedicated many long hours of volunteer work for charity groups, such as, the Providence Seaside Hospital Auxiliary, serving as secretary, vice president, president and buyer for the Gift Shop. Elizabeth single handily organized, typed and edited a cook book for the Auxiliary for fund raising purposes in 2007. In 2004, Elizabeth joined the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Conference at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church providing food and financial assistance to the poor and needy. Elizabeth volunteered at the St. Vincent de Paul Conference food pantry at St. Mary Star of the Sea in Astoria, also. A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, Seaside, Oregon at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, August 29, 2018. Rosary will precede the mass at 10:30 AM in the Church and viewing of Elizabeth will take place at 10:00 AM in the Church. A reception will be held immediately following the funeral mass in the Parish Hall. Following the reception, graveside services will take place at Evergreen Cemetery, south of Seaside, 33395 Beerman Creek Road. Memorial donations may be made to Our Lady of Victory St. Vincent de Paul Conference, Seaside Oregon or to St. Mary Star of the Sea St. Vincent de Paul Conference, Astoria, Oregon.