ELIZABETH ANNE DEPARTOUT

Elizabeth “Liz” Anne DePartout, the sixth of ten children, was born in Buffalo, NY on August 10, 1952 to Albert and Betty Flash. She met her husband, Tom, at the University of Buffalo. She graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1974 with a B.A. in Psychology & Sociology. Liz and her husband lived in Baldwinsville and raised five children: Claire, Audrey, Jeanne, Mary and Paul. Liz stayed at home and her days revolved around nurturing them with a sense of character, rich values and a strong dedication to faith. When the children were grown she worked as a sales manager for a local manufacturing company.

Liz had a repeat mammogram in the summer of 2004. In August, a biopsy showed positive lymph node involvement, with malignant breast cancer tissue present, but, thankfully, after more tests the cancer had not advanced. Liz’s family and friends were devastated by the diagnosis of Stage II breast cancer. Her sister’s death from cancer still sorrowfully lingered. She began a rigorous regime of chemo, followed by radiation therapy. As Always, Liz was still positive and thoroughly put her trust in God.

With prayers answered Liz attended her daughter Audrey’s wedding in August of 2005, CANCER-FREE. She returned to a very active life of race walking, golfing, swimming and gardening, etc. Life was good. They shared a memorable family Christmas, and Claire was married in February 2006. She danced all night with a smile.

In March of 2006 an MRI showed both breasts to be normal. However, soon after, the feared cancer returned. A small pink image, thought to be cellulites, was actually more aggressive and deadly: Inflammatory Breast Cancer. There was bone involvement, but no other vital organs were affected. What a blessing! It would be another tough fight but Liz put her trust in God and began chemotherapy again in October of 2006. She attended healing Masses, truly believing God would heal her. She hid her fears, but showed her faith. Liz, strong and positive, called a friend, also suffering with cancer, while she, herself, was receiving her infusion!

In 2007 Liz was present for the birth of her first grandchild, Anna Elizabeth. Sick, weak, tired and with a warm knit had on her bald head she coached her daughter throughout labor and delivery. What a miracle! Yet, only two weeks later her husband of over thirty-one years suddenly died at 58. She was compelled, now more than ever, to survive. She went to Los Angeles for treatment. Still very sick, Liz showed no signs of physical or emotional weakness. She would walk to the local market to buy fresh food, go to dinner with family and new friends, taking one day at a time.

In May 2007 Liz was hospitalized with fatigue, weakness and difficulty breathing. The cancer had spread to her lungs. She flew home to a hospital in Syracuse and, again, went through another round of chemo. Soon, Liz was home and making plans for the summer when she was “better”. In June, however, she was back with a blood infection and breathing difficulties. She was coherent, though, and able to visit loved ones. Sunday, June 17, 2007 was Father’s Day. Family members said the rosary at her bedside. On Monday Liz was informed her time was very short, maybe only a few days. Later that afternoon Liz passed away peacefully with her family present, while spending her last moments with her only son, Paul, at her side.

The night before she died Liz told her daughter, Audrey, “I will live and declare the works of the Lord.” Her family knows she is now fulfilling those words spiritually. Liz is greatly missed by her children, friends, her granddaughter, Anna, and two more she would never meet, Jack Robert and Jaya Elise. She would be humbled and honored that her memory lives on and is helping to find a cure for breast cancer.