Elizabeth N. Williams

Elizabeth N. Williams
July 20, 1936 - December 26, 2021

Elizabeth N. Williams (Beth), age 85, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 26, 2021, with Jim, her loving husband of 65 years, by her side. She was born in Alamosa, CO, in 1936. She graduated from UNM on a music scholarship, earning her Bachelor of Music Education. She loved music, working out, and especially swimming. When she noticed a handsome lifeguard at the UNM pool, she made sure she was at the pool as much as possible. She even competed in synchronized swimming with the UNM Waterloos in 1956, which made her an incredibly powerful swimmer and allowed her to talk frequently with the lifeguard. The stories she shared with her family and friends about how she got Jim to notice her at the pool and their lifelong romance will always be an encouragement to couples looking for "happily ever after."

Beth was an enthusiastic fan and proud Mom (with Dad) at every activity for their four children. When she made cinnamon rolls for the band bake sale, they sold out quickly. She could catch and shoot a basketball and set a volleyball with anybody. She won the Mom's free-throw shooting contest at the Lobo Men's Basketball end of season family event in 1978. Coach Norm Ellenberger bragged about her making more free throws than he did. She knew every note of every band concert and flute solo. She was always prepared for "all day" at swim meets and track meets with drinks, snacks, and sandwiches in the cooler.

Her eight grandchildren will never forget her fresh baked dinner rolls for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. Cooking for the family meant welcoming her kids, grandchildren, teammates, friends, and anyone else who showed up at the table. Her favorites were freshly baked bread, tortillas, red and green chili, porcupine meatballs, lasagna, fresh fruit salad, and cakes!

Beth's faith was at the center of her energy and outlook on life. She wrote, "I look at all the wonderful things around me and the miracle of life itself, I am convinced that the greatest conceivable being (God) is behind it all. The fact that scientific research continues to see more order and design in the world only gives me more fuel for my faith!"

In recent months she was blessed to meet and talk to her great-grandchildren. Technology allowed her to enjoy a hard drive full of photos and videos she looked at every day with tears of happiness in her eyes. Beth loved her family, including her children, grandchildren, greats, nieces, and nephews. We will always love her too.

No formal memorial services were held. Her urn was placed at Santa Fe National Cemetery.