Elizabeth "Liz" Cawthorne

Elizabeth “Liz” Cawthorne passed away in her home of 45 years in Arvada, Colorado on Saturday December 1st, 2018. Liz is survived by two daughters Martha “Lynn” Cawthorne Condra of Chickamauga, Ga; Cynthia Cawthorne Payne and daughter Ellyn Payne of Rossville, GA; two sons Frank Tafuaason of the home, and Stephen Tanner of Wheat Ridge, Colorado and her white poodle, Boo. She was preceded in death by her husband and love of her life, Earl Cawthorne, her mother Dorothy Wagner McCauley and father Lawrence McCauley. Liz was an only child born in St. Louis, Missouri on November 14, 1943. Her father Larry was serving in the Navy when she was born. When the war ended they moved to Granite City, Missouri where her father was a teacher and the high school coach, eventually becoming the principle. After Liz graduated from the University of Missouri with her teaching certificate she was offered an interview with Jefferson County schools. Her and a friend made the trip to Colorado, not to accept a teaching job, but to get some practice doing an interview. When they both were offered teaching positions they decided to give it a try and moved to Wheat Ridge and started teaching English at Wheat Ridge High School. Before long, Liz met Earl and after a whirlwind romance, they married and remained happily together until Earl’s death in 1992. In 1973, Pomona High School was built minutes from their home and Liz was offered the chair position for the English department. She taught there and chaired the English department until her retirement in 1999. She taught for a total of 34 years in Jefferson County. Soon after her retirement Liz started volunteering at The Arvada Center. After 15 years and over 3,000 hours of service, Liz remained passionate about The Arvada Center up until her death. A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities on December 18th at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, Liz wanted donations sent to: Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities 6901 Wadsworth Blvd, Arvada, Co. 80003