A Delightful Addendum:
an Account of Elizabeth O'Connor's Endearing, Unique Idiosyncrasies
by Two Dear Friends, Mary Jo Cook & Mary Anders
Elizabeth's love for shopping was legendary. Mary Jo Cook, another
Church of the Saviour friend and colleague, writes:
-
I want to write about the 'other side' of my friend. This friend who
never saw a shop or shopping center that she would willing pass up! When
I was driving, I would accelerate far beyond what local traffic officials
would approve in order to preclude any "STOP!" word from Elizabeth. Often,
though, we did 'do' shops. I could trail her through the store (for we
always became separated) by the chaotic nature of certain racks of clothes
where she had stopped! Instead of returning them to the right place on
the rack, she would just put them across the top of the whole rack. She
was completely unaware of this -- and since it saved a lot of time in my
finding her, I never said anything to her about it!
Those that knew Elizabeth only through her books would be surprised to
learn of her penchant for chaos amidst her papers at home and at the office.
Mary Jo again:
-
Elizabeth was impossible with regard to papers... There was NO AVAILABLE
space either at home or in her office, unless she had advance clean-up
time, for anyone to sit down -- only her own chair was available. Sofas,
chairs, end tables, the coffee table, the floor, the dining room table
and buffet, every surface in the bedroom were covered. Now and then I would
get this "Oh, dear"call: "!'ve got to get some things cleaned out here."
She would do that -- only to begin the build-up again immediately. Interestingly,
just yesterday I heard on Public Radio a discussion of this subject. The
consultant said that often this was a way to keep people OUT . I could
connect this with Elizabeth because her true needs and desires were: to
be with friends, but not for TOO LONG A TIME in her private space! The
two of us, along with other friends, would often meet at a restaurant for
ear/y dinner and often too we held our mission group meetings in restaurants.
It's no surprise to those of us who knew her to read this from Mary
Anders, another crony of Elizabeth:
-
On Friday evening, two weeks before Elizabeth's death, Dr. Pamela Blake,
Elizabeth's neurologist, came by the hospital room for a visit and suggested
that the next day Elizabeth get the nurse to take her in a wheelchair to
the patio on the 6th floor of the hospital to enjoy the sunshine.
Elizabeth was scheduled for colon surgery the following Monday and had
asked to talk with her friend Dr. Janelle Goetcheus about her upcoming
surgery. Since Elizabeth had difficulty hearing over the telephone, ]anelle
and I agreed that I would be in Elizabeth's room at 3pm on Saturday so
I could receive her phone call and convey messages. When I arrived at the
hospital shortly before 3, I saw Elizabeth coming down the corridor in
a wheelchair, being pushed by Ursula Daniels. They were dressed to go outside.
I asked where they were going and Elizabeth gleefully responded "to Nordstroms."
The mall at Pentagon City was one of her favorite places to shop, and l
was surprised and delighted that she felt well enough to go shopping...
This is how l choose to remember my dear Elizabeth in her final days, still
loving life
This article appeared in the 117th Ministry of Money
Newsletter
- December, 1998 written & compiled by Don McClanen, Rosemary Williams,
Harriet Taylor. The Ministry of Money believes in Growth in Discipleship 
Compassion
for the Poor Global
Stewardship
To read articles by Elizabeth O'Connor and reflections by those whom she
has influenced,
visit A Tribute to Elizabeth O'Connor.
Elizabeth O'Connor's books
available through Faith At Work.
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