Elizabeth Husted

One of Elizabeth “Liz” J. Husted’s most defining traits was her extraordinary compassionate heart. She spent her life doing for others – whether it was at her workplace, in her home or for stray cats in her neighborhood, Liz’s thoughts were always for the needs of others. She was a woman who cared for everyone she knew, especially her family, and she expressed this care through her generosity and willingness to always lend a helping hand.

1935 was a bleak time in our nation’s history. The mid 1930s were the worst years of the Great Depression, when the economic crunch took a toll on everything from the largest factory to the smallest family. Though times were tough, hope shone like a beacon through the nation’s newly elected president, whose aim was to lift the country back onto the pedestal of greatness. Despite the turmoil in the world, Sylvester and Mary (Amen) Husted were keeping their spirits positive as they anxiously awaited the birth of their fourth child. Their daughter, Elizabeth, made her arrival on August 7, 1935, in their family home on West Fulton Street in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Husted household would eventually be filled to the brim with the joy and busyness of eleven children.

Life was difficult during this period, but Sylvester was able to earn a living working in a factory that manufactured machinery, while his wife, Mary, was a very busy homemaker. Liz, as she was called, spent her growing up years on the west side of Grand Rapids, where she walked to and from her school, Lexington Elementary School, each day. With a very large family, however, Liz began working at the age of nine at Joyce’s Restaurant near her home after school. By the time she was in the 8th grade at Union High School, it was necessary for Liz to work full-time in order to help support her family, so she left school.

Dedicated and hard working, Liz worked at Joyce’s seven days a week, though the restaurant was only open six. She would come in on their closed day to help clean up and even used her own time to redecorate and paint the place to freshen it up. Work was the one mainstay in Liz’s life and she never missed a day, unless she was sick. Eventually, Joyce’s Restaurant went out of business, which led Liz to a job at Marywood Academy. Here she basically did the same kind of duties, which included working in food service, doing housekeeping and helping out with catering. After 30 years of dutiful work and fostering many cherished friendships, Liz retired in 2002. However, her driven and loyal spirit would not cease and she continued to work weekends and weekdays when she was needed at Marywood, selflessly volunteering her time and talents.

Besides her work, Liz was also deeply committed to her family. She spent her life balancing hard work with being a loving daughter, sister and aunt, succeeding in providing the best for her family. She continually put their needs before her own, caring for them in times of need and celebrating with them in times of joy. After living on the west side of Grand Rapids almost all her life, Liz decided to buy a newer house, in better condition, on the north end of town, that would greatly benefit her family. So in 1954, Liz, along with her mother, father, brothers and sisters, moved to a new home at 426 Fernando N.E. This was the place Liz called home, and the place where she created a lifetime of memories with her family and friends. After her father died in 1985, Liz naturally stepped in and continued caring for her mother in her home.

As a child of a large family, Liz was blessed with many nieces and nephews. Her mother often babysat for them in her home and during this time, they grew very close to their Aunt Liz. She liked to lavish them with little gifts and as they got older, if they were in financial need, she was always a source of support. It seems that caring for people was just part of Liz’s nature. A cat lover, she would take in all stray cats and kittens and get them medical attention if necessary, paying for it herself. She was always concerned about their welfare because she felt they couldn’t really care for themselves. In general, Liz liked all animals, including birds. She had many bird feeders at her home and made sure to keep them full daily.

In her leisure time, Liz enjoyed reading and did so quite often. Although she wasn’t a church member, she was a Christian Bible Believer. She also liked watching television, especially “Who wants to be a Millionaire” and “Crossing Over.” Most of the time, Liz was able to answer all the questions on the Millionaire show, perhaps because she was so well read. In fact, she was known to have an excellent memory and could recall minute details that others couldn’t.

At the age of 21, Liz was diagnosed with cancer, however, after a successful surgery, she was able to live a healthy and productive life. Unfortunately, the cancer struck again two years ago and Liz has valiantly battled it since.

Liz will be remembered as a quiet and unassuming lady whose actions spoke volumes for her character. She was the kindest, most caring person who tried every day to share her happiness with her loved ones. Liz was there for anyone (or thing) at anytime, not because she had to be, but because she wanted to share fully in the lives of the people she loved. She will be deeply missed.

Elizabeth (Liz) J. Husted, aged 69 of Grand Rapids, MI, passed away on Tuesday, May 24, 2005. She was preceded in death by her father, Sylvester Husted, and brother-in-law, Ralph Miller. Surviving is her mother, Mary Husted; her brothers, sisters and their spouses: Sylvester and Esther Husted, Otto and Dolores Husted, Shirley and Robert Johnson, Cornetta Miller, John and Jolynn Husted, Audrey and Bernard Anderson, George and Patricia Husted, Florence and Ted Chambers, Patricia and Niles Haist, Mary and Jeff Hoyle; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral and committal services will be held on Friday, May 27, at 11 a.m. at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Van’t Hof Chapel, 851 Leonard NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Interment in Rosedale Memorial Park. Miss Husted reposes at the funeral chapel where relatives and friends may meet her family on Thursday, May 26, from 7-9 p.m. Please visit Liz’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may leave a memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution in her memory.