ET's Obituary

Please view ET's obituary at http://www.falardeaufh.com/obituaries/obit.php?id=2007-188. It will appear in print in tomorrow's edition of the Syracuse Post Standard (www.syracuse.com).

Elizabeth Ann “ET” Tillery, age 47, Baldwinsville, NY

So then, beach, bluff and wave, farewell!
I bear with me
No token stone nor glittering shell,
But long and oft shall Memory tell
Of this brief thoughtful hour of musing by the sea.

- John Greenleaf Whittier, from the poem Hampton Beach


At 2:45 am on Monday, August 20, 2007, we bade farewell to a dear friend, a loving mother and cherished sister. ET endured her painful illness with a strength and grace that inspires us all.

Elizabeth’s journey began in Hampton, NH on March 29, 1960. She paused in Haverhill, Ma. and Alexandria, Va., resting finally in Baldwinsville, NY. Her path has touched the lives of so many, and she leaves an enduring legacy in her children, and in the loving memory of all who knew her. Although our lives will never be the same, her touch has set us all on a better course.

ET is survived by her children, Rachael Tillery, Aaron Tillery, Brandon Smith and Austin Smith, all of Baldwinsville, NY; mother Marion Chandler, Baldwinsville, NY; sisters Patricia Nelson, Sanford, Me. and Jody Chandler, Maynard, Ma.; brothers Robert Chandler, Great Mills, Md., James Chandler, Highland, Md., and Michael Chandler, Portland, Or.; fiancé Michael Smith, Baldwinsville, NY.; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, and countless friends and colleagues.

Elizabeth, in life you taught us the value of kindness, honesty and humility. In your passing you teach us the beauty of strength and grace. May we all live our lives with the kindness that you’ve shown us, and leave this earth with the grace that you have borne. Ever present in all our hearts, you will be long missed, never forgotten, always cherished.

Services will be held at 12:00 on Monday, August 27, at St. Mary’s of the Assumption Catholic Church, 47 Syracuse Street, Baldwinsville, NY, with interment at Riverview Cemetery, Baldwinsville. Following interment, a reception for family and friends will be held at St. Mary’s, followed by a gathering at ET’s home in Baldwinsville.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Palliative Care Unit of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse, NY, or to Hospice Care of Central New York.

Memories of ET

I've retired ET's phone messaging system, and deleted all the messages you sent to her. Thanks to everyone who sent them - what a smile they brought to her day!

Before shutting the system down completely, I thought it would be a useful way to record memories of her life. Please call the number and share your memories of ET. The recordings will be kept as gifts that ET's children Rachael, Aaron, Austin and Brandon can listen to over the years. What an incredible way to help them understand the positive impact that their mother had on so many people.

At your instruction, I could also post your message on the website as a public testimonial to ET, and/or play your recording at ET's memorial service.


So please call the number and share your thoughts, say goodbye, or say whatever you'd like to say. If you have specific instructions for your recording, you can email me at the contact address located on the right-hand column of this website's homepage. For example, if you'd like to post your message on the website, and/or if you'd like to have your message played at ET's service, just let me know via email. Otherwise, I'll just save them for the children.

Remember that the messaging system gives you some very flexible menu options to help you get your message just the way you want it. After recording your message, use menu option #3 to listen to your message before saving it. You can also use menu option #4 to rerecord your message. When you are done, just remember to press menu option #1 to save and deliver your message.

Again, thanks so much for all your support!
--jimmy

Donations

Later in life, Elizabeth became an avid gardner. She loved her flowers. I was amazed to see how she'd transformed her beautiful home with all her gardening. However, in lieu of flowers, Elizabeth asked that donations be made to one of the following organizations:

Palliative Care Unit, St. Joseph's Hospital

Make checks payable to St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation/Palliative Care Unit
Send to:
Palliative Care Unit, c/o
St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation
973 James Street, Suite 250
Syracuse, NY 13203-9907

Hospice of Central New York
To donate, visit their website at:
http://www.hospicecny.org/donate.html

Pancreatic Cancer Research
To donate, visit their website at:
https://netcommunity.pancan.org/NETCOMMUNITY/SSLPage.aspx?&pid=218&srcid=178


Thank you for your kind consideration...

Together again

Thank you, Austin, for your beautiful post. You are right that she was a wonderful mother, wife, sister and friend. She was a dear person who loved life and loved people and gave so much of herself to everyone she met. I've spent an entire lifetime trying to be more like her. You are so lucky to have had seven years so close to her. She talked about you and Brandon a lot, and loved you both the same way she loved Rachael and Aaron, which is dearly.

When you all came to visit, I loved having you stay here at the house. ET loved to be in the middle of things, and never was much for hotel rooms - she wanted to be where everyone else was, even if it meant sleeping on the porch with Hannah. You all are welcome back here anytime. You'll always be a special part of this family.

I loved your mom more than anything, and I can't describe how much I will miss her. I know that you will too. We can all take comfort that her suffering is over, and she is at peace with Barbara. They are probably cooking up some practical joke to play on Grammy.

God bless you and Brandon and Rachael and Aaron - stay strong and do well.

--uncle jimmy

Her Journey Ends...:(

Elizabeth has passed away today early morning at 2:45 AM. She was a dear mother, dear friend, and dear wife. She made me and my brother have another loving mother while our mom moved away form us. She payed for all those trips to Darien Lake Theme Park. She was always right there when you needed her. Now she can rest in peace, with her sister Barbara, and she can run whenever she wants too. All I can say is that I love you, Elizabeth. I will miss you very much. Say hello to Barabara for me! =)

Special thanks to the following family members:
Aunt Jodie
Uncle Jimmy
Mary Augustus

Peace.

Another Day, Another Dollar

Well, today Elizabeth has been eating again, but she wanted McDonalds! :D I had my first ride on my Dad's lawn mower today and I did a good job. I just wish Elizabeth was standing out there to view out my progress. We also had a "maid" come in today and do the chores...we are so greatful to have people come over here and help out. Special thanks to Aunt Jodie, Unlce Jimmy, and Unlce Bobby for all of your support. Again, thank you. =)

Riding for ET

I hope you enjoy watching Tim Smith's video of the PMC. I think he captured the sheer magnitude of the incredible efforts of so many people. Although each is uniquely inspired, and each has their own story to tell, they all bond together toward the common goal of fighting back against cancer. ET was among their number last year, and was there in spirit this year.

She'll be there again next year, and I hope you will too...