She finished the marathon in three hours forty-two minutes, then met us at the restaurant and ate a full meal while still in her race bib. That's the energy she brought to everything.
2 years ago
Elizabeth Jane Whitfield
May 30, 1968 – February 14, 2024 · 55 years
"She lived fully and loved without reservation."
Biography
Elizabeth Jane Whitfield died far too young at 55, leaving behind a life so large it could not be contained. A celebrated high school English teacher, Liz inspired a generation of students to find their voice through writing. She ran marathons, traveled to 47 countries, and wrote a novel she never quite finished — though those who read the drafts say it was extraordinary. She is survived by her husband Mark, son Owen, daughter Ivy, and every student who ever stayed after class to talk.
Messages & Tributes (18)
+ Write a MessageElizabeth was one of the finest students I taught in thirty years and later one of the finest teachers I ever encountered.
2 years ago
She assigned us to write a letter to ourselves to be opened in ten years. I opened mine last month. She said we would be surprised by how much we'd grown. She was right.
2 years ago
She was my sister-in-law and my friend. She made my brother the happiest man I've ever seen. I am so grateful he found her.
2 years ago
She traveled to Morocco the year she got sick and came home with carpets, spices, photographs, and seventeen pages of notes. That was Liz. Always collecting the world.
2 years ago
Liz ran the Boston Marathon three times. She trained alone at 5am, every day, in any weather. She brought that same discipline and joy to everything she did.
2 years ago
I failed English twice before I had Mrs. Whitfield. She didn't let me believe I was a bad student. She was right — I wasn't. I was just waiting for someone to see me.
2 years ago
Mom said: read everything, go everywhere, say yes more than no. She lived that and she made sure we did too. I am going to keep saying yes, Mom. For you.
2 years ago