Memories About Elizabeth M. Lion
Enjoy reading the memories and stories below and linked about Elizabeth M. Lion. Also look through some photos of Elizabeth throughout her life here.
My Mother Took Me To England - Twice
My mother knew that I, from a very early age, was an utter total and complete Anglophile. So in 1992 she took me on a two week trip through England. As we boarded the plan in New York City to go to London Mom looked at me and said "I have now fulfilled my promise to you."
I looked at her and asked "What promise?"
"I told you I would take you to England for your high school graduation."
"I don't remember that." I replied.
"Let's get off the plane." I immediately went NO and mom and I both laughed.
England was the best experience my mother and I had together. We loved every second of it. We had so much fun talking in the car - I drove and loved it. She shared a lot of things with me I didn't know and we had such a relaxing and good time. Everything was perfect and we both hated going home.
Jump ahead to the Fall of 2013.
My mother had been gone for close to six months when I got in one of my Geeky news feeds that Joss Whedon was helping the Downtown Women's Center in Los Angeles, California. The Center helps homeless women and for their big fall fundraiser Joss offered a "unique experience" for auction. The winner of the auction would, with a friend, be a personal guest of Joss Whedon's on the set of Avengers 2: Age of Ultron. When I read this I sighed with longing. I mean there was no way I could win such an auction. But I decided what the heck and put in a bid. I knew there was no way I could win this however it was helping a good cause and it would be fun to watch.
One week before the bidding ended I got an email about the upcoming deadline. I went to the site out of curiosity and huh, the bid was lower than I expected. Huh. So I bid.
At 12:20 am on a Monday morning, I won the bidding war for the auction. I woke-up Scott and said "We're going to the set of Avengers 2!" "Oh great," he said and promptly went back to sleep. The next day after work he looked at me and asked "Are we really going?"
"YES!" I announced jumping up and down!
On May 1, 2014 - exactly one year before Avengers 2: Age of Ultron would hit the movie screen - Scott and I had our set visit. I will write more about it in another spot. Just know that everyone we met was gracious, kind, and wonderful to be with. Scott and I felt it was our second honeymoon.
This visit would not have been possible without my mother. Her generosity in her passing enabled me and Scott to visit England. I took my mother with me, wearing the memorial necklace I had made, and thanked her in my heart every hour. I am still thanking her.
Thank you mom.
My mother knew that I, from a very early age, was an utter total and complete Anglophile. So in 1992 she took me on a two week trip through England. As we boarded the plan in New York City to go to London Mom looked at me and said "I have now fulfilled my promise to you."
I looked at her and asked "What promise?"
"I told you I would take you to England for your high school graduation."
"I don't remember that." I replied.
"Let's get off the plane." I immediately went NO and mom and I both laughed.
England was the best experience my mother and I had together. We loved every second of it. We had so much fun talking in the car - I drove and loved it. She shared a lot of things with me I didn't know and we had such a relaxing and good time. Everything was perfect and we both hated going home.
Jump ahead to the Fall of 2013.
My mother had been gone for close to six months when I got in one of my Geeky news feeds that Joss Whedon was helping the Downtown Women's Center in Los Angeles, California. The Center helps homeless women and for their big fall fundraiser Joss offered a "unique experience" for auction. The winner of the auction would, with a friend, be a personal guest of Joss Whedon's on the set of Avengers 2: Age of Ultron. When I read this I sighed with longing. I mean there was no way I could win such an auction. But I decided what the heck and put in a bid. I knew there was no way I could win this however it was helping a good cause and it would be fun to watch.
One week before the bidding ended I got an email about the upcoming deadline. I went to the site out of curiosity and huh, the bid was lower than I expected. Huh. So I bid.
At 12:20 am on a Monday morning, I won the bidding war for the auction. I woke-up Scott and said "We're going to the set of Avengers 2!" "Oh great," he said and promptly went back to sleep. The next day after work he looked at me and asked "Are we really going?"
"YES!" I announced jumping up and down!
On May 1, 2014 - exactly one year before Avengers 2: Age of Ultron would hit the movie screen - Scott and I had our set visit. I will write more about it in another spot. Just know that everyone we met was gracious, kind, and wonderful to be with. Scott and I felt it was our second honeymoon.
This visit would not have been possible without my mother. Her generosity in her passing enabled me and Scott to visit England. I took my mother with me, wearing the memorial necklace I had made, and thanked her in my heart every hour. I am still thanking her.
Thank you mom.
Memorial Email From A.
Hello All,
On Thursday evening, March 14th, one of my closest friends and a devoted Potluck attendee passed away. Elizabeth Lion was a regular at our party until her declining health made it too difficult for her to come. Many of you know her only from the Potluck, where she would often hold court, telling dirty jokes and stories from her rich and full life.
I am sending along the link to her obituary for us to be reminded of all she gave to women, The GBLT community, Indiana University and the City of Bloomington. She worked tirelessly to give a voice to those causes about which she was passionate. She was an amazing woman and I will miss her.
Sending love in her honor.
On Thursday evening, March 14th, one of my closest friends and a devoted Potluck attendee passed away. Elizabeth Lion was a regular at our party until her declining health made it too difficult for her to come. Many of you know her only from the Potluck, where she would often hold court, telling dirty jokes and stories from her rich and full life.
I am sending along the link to her obituary for us to be reminded of all she gave to women, The GBLT community, Indiana University and the City of Bloomington. She worked tirelessly to give a voice to those causes about which she was passionate. She was an amazing woman and I will miss her.
Sending love in her honor.
Ice Cream
Elizabeth Lion LOVED ice cream. Once when she was a young woman she bet her friends that she could eat five Dairy Queen Banana Splits in a row. After the third one her friends made her stop because they were afraid she woudl get sick. Elizabeth however was fine and ready to eat the rest with no problem.
Come to Sunday Night Supper!
I met Elizabeth in February 1977 one week after I met the man who was to become my husband. It was one of the best months of my life! It was at a rather small and intimate gathering of university women. Elizabeth came up to me and introduced herself and began to ask me about myself. As I shared she exclaimed in her usual enthusiastic way, "An Italian from New York.! I knew it. You must come to my Sunday night supper!" In those days, Elizabeth hosted an evening meal every Sunday and invited a variety of people she'd met. It was a wonderful tradition of which I became a part of for many many years. - A.M.
Incredibly Funny, Totally Serious
Elizabeth was almost the first person I met when moving to Indiana in 1977. We met at the Unitarian Universalist Church, on my first day there. We had a lot in common: a love for nursing and for working with people from diverse backgrounds, a commitment to educating new nurses, an interest in human sexuality (including books for nursing students), a love for cats of all shapes, the same dissertation advisor, and commuting together to IUPUI from Bloomington on occasion. She was incredibly funny, totally serious, fully energized, and completely loyal. I will never forget her laugh. And her hats. And her blue glass collection. And all things Elizabeth.
Be safe and calm, wherever you are, my friend. Keep 'em laughing! - M.S.
Be safe and calm, wherever you are, my friend. Keep 'em laughing! - M.S.
"Liz" In College
"Liz" as we knew her in college and nursing, was a special friend of 70 years. She was witty, funny, smart and always ready to entertain us. She was a loyal friend and will be missed from our ever dwindling group of friends. - M.W.
Fashion Phases
One of the things I remember about her in particular, was how nice she was to us during our lovely fashion phases of the 1980s. I felt like she accepted our creativity. - E.C.
From the Q News & Notes Weekly Digest
A dear friend and wonderful ally of the glbt community in Bloomington died last week. Elizabeth Lion, an Associate Professor Emeritus at the Bloomington campus of the IU School of Nursing died peacefully on Thursday evening, March 14, 2013. She was 87 years old. Elizabeth was known by many as a pioneer in teaching human sexuality, introducing transgender individuals to her classes and inviting her students to spend an evening with her at Bullwinkle's, the 'gay' bar in Bloomington for many years. She was also an active member of the Bloomington Faculty Council and the Commission on Multicultural Understanding. When asked recently she said that she was most proud of co-chairing IU's Educational Task Force on GLB Concerns. The final report by this task force in 1993 revolutionized campus diversity policy and led to the creation of the GLBT Student Support Services Office. She was a staunch supporter of our issues and our programs even in the later years of her life. A celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, March 24 at 2pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church (2120 N. Fee Lane) here in Bloomington and her daughter has informed us "that because she was so supportive of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people and issues, I ask that if anyone wants to come in drag/feathers/rainbows that they please do so. It is what mom would like. Especially if everyone wears blue. ;) " A memorial Website has been prepared: http://emlion.weebly.com
Generous Friend
The obituary for Elizabeth in the paper was a master work. It covered all of the things I think of when I remember her and was a true tribute to her life and works. The only other thing I would add is her generosity with her friends. She was always there to help me fine tune a concept or idea I was working on and to be supportive in times of need. She always, and I mean always, had the right word, the right advice and the right wisdom to know what to say to bring about changes in my perspective. She had a knack for making you see all sides of a problem or question.
I will always be grateful for her generosity when she invited me to share her trip to Italy back in 1976. It was a dream come true for an art major and I was forever changed by the experience of learning about her heritage, meeting her Italian cousins and seeing Italy through her eyes. Elizabeth was an extraordinary mentor to those fortunate enough to benefit from her knowledge and perception. She will be missed for her wit, her jokes, her love of life through all of the ups and downs and her special brand of friendship. - D.S.
I will always be grateful for her generosity when she invited me to share her trip to Italy back in 1976. It was a dream come true for an art major and I was forever changed by the experience of learning about her heritage, meeting her Italian cousins and seeing Italy through her eyes. Elizabeth was an extraordinary mentor to those fortunate enough to benefit from her knowledge and perception. She will be missed for her wit, her jokes, her love of life through all of the ups and downs and her special brand of friendship. - D.S.
Banned Book: My Mom's Listed with Le Guin, Lewis, and L'Engle
How did that happen you may wonder? Well I am proud to say that my mom wrote a banned book back in 1982. "Human Sexuality in Nursing Process" published by J. Wiley and Sons is a textbook for nurses on, yes, you guessed it, human sexuality. Shocking! Horrors! OH NOES! So now mom is on the L portion of the Banned Books list collected by Mountains and Plains Independent Booksellers Association. http://www.mountainsplains.org/.
Yes, I'm proud!! Oh and BTW, I'm in a banned book because some photos of me, relaxed I'm clothed and just putting on make-up, are also in the book.
AND! She's even listed through Barnes and Noble though they don't have any new copies. BTW, mom LOVED Barnes and Noble.
Now go and read a banned book today!!!! - M. Lion
Yes, I'm proud!! Oh and BTW, I'm in a banned book because some photos of me, relaxed I'm clothed and just putting on make-up, are also in the book.
AND! She's even listed through Barnes and Noble though they don't have any new copies. BTW, mom LOVED Barnes and Noble.
Now go and read a banned book today!!!! - M. Lion
Be My Roommate
Liz and I go way back, and I have many fond memories:
The first day of our entrance into Jersey City Medical Center Training Program, and we were being assigned our rooms, (we were required to reside there during our training) Liz came up to me and said, “ I Want You To Be My Roommate.” And it was the beginning of a wonderful long term friendship for both of us.
We could always count on her to keep us entertained with her terrific sense of humor. She had the ability to find something humorous about our Instructors, the patients, and the conditions we were working under. We were very Good Friends, and it lasted all during our life time.
We will surely miss her and wish to express our sincere sympathy to you on the tremendous loss of your mother.
Please be consoled in that you and Liz are always be in our prayers ! ! ! !
Sincerely - T.T.
The first day of our entrance into Jersey City Medical Center Training Program, and we were being assigned our rooms, (we were required to reside there during our training) Liz came up to me and said, “ I Want You To Be My Roommate.” And it was the beginning of a wonderful long term friendship for both of us.
We could always count on her to keep us entertained with her terrific sense of humor. She had the ability to find something humorous about our Instructors, the patients, and the conditions we were working under. We were very Good Friends, and it lasted all during our life time.
We will surely miss her and wish to express our sincere sympathy to you on the tremendous loss of your mother.
Please be consoled in that you and Liz are always be in our prayers ! ! ! !
Sincerely - T.T.
Cat Hospital
I used to care for Elizabeth's cats at the Bloomington Cat Hospital and she was always one of my favorite customers. I loved the stories she would tell me, and just her general passion for life. One of my favorite stories of hers was the story about inviting the Black Panthers over for dinner, and her daughter saying that she couldn't be a Panther because she was a Lion. She was truly a very special person! - D.A.
Our Whole Lives Workshop
Elizabeth was always an unmistakable presence at the Lake Geneva Summer Assembly, but it wasn't until 2003 that I got to know her on a personal level, when I was among the members of her workshop on sexuality, a workshop adapted from the Unitarian Universalist Our Whole Lives sexuality education curriculum. It was one of the best workshops I've ever taken at summer assembly -- enlightening, affirming, and empowering. At the end of the week, as we said our good-byes, Elizabeth made a point of encouraging me to take the training to become an OWL instructor in my church. Four years later I did that, and throughout my training and in the teaching I have done since, the memory of her has infused my work. She has left a rich, rich legacy in her teaching, her service, and in the light and life she brought to the lives of many. My condolences to you, her family. - E.G.
Sorely Missed
She [Elizabeth] was such a dear sweet woman with a wonderful sense of humor. Unfortunately, she wasn't in my life for a very long time, but I loved her dearly. She made her mark in this world and she will be sorely missed. -F.F.
From the Heart, "In the Left Field"
Elizabeth and I went to the same church.
I was bummed that I would miss her memorial service due to work. I was prompted, from my spirit...my soul...to share some things. I've been thinking about her a great deal. I feel as what I am about to write is "in left field", yet I am drawn to write it here. I re-wrote it on paper for her.
From The Sabbath and Festival Prayer Book
Copywright 1948
The Rabbinical Assembly of America and
The United Synagogue of America
Psalm126
'Twas like a dream, when by the Lord
From bondage Zion was restored.
Our mouths were filled with mirth and songs
To God, to whom all praise belongs.
The nations owned that God had wrought
Great works, which joy to us had brought
As southern streams when filled with rain
He turned our captive state again.
Who sow in tears, with joy shall reap,
though bearing precious seed they weep
While going forth, yet shall they sing
when coming back, their sheaves they bring.
There Lives A God
There lives a God! Each finite creature proclaims his rule on sea and land, throughout all changing forms of nature
is clearly shown his mighty hand
In every place is heard the call
The Lord of hosts has made us all
There lives a God! When life is waning,
his love is near and he shall save
My years are all of his ordaining
He only taketh what he gave
The grave shall not end all for me
Thou livest, God...I live in thee.
"We are going through Da'ath (knowledge)
to get to Netzach (victory)."
-from L. F.
I was bummed that I would miss her memorial service due to work. I was prompted, from my spirit...my soul...to share some things. I've been thinking about her a great deal. I feel as what I am about to write is "in left field", yet I am drawn to write it here. I re-wrote it on paper for her.
From The Sabbath and Festival Prayer Book
Copywright 1948
The Rabbinical Assembly of America and
The United Synagogue of America
Psalm126
'Twas like a dream, when by the Lord
From bondage Zion was restored.
Our mouths were filled with mirth and songs
To God, to whom all praise belongs.
The nations owned that God had wrought
Great works, which joy to us had brought
As southern streams when filled with rain
He turned our captive state again.
Who sow in tears, with joy shall reap,
though bearing precious seed they weep
While going forth, yet shall they sing
when coming back, their sheaves they bring.
There Lives A God
There lives a God! Each finite creature proclaims his rule on sea and land, throughout all changing forms of nature
is clearly shown his mighty hand
In every place is heard the call
The Lord of hosts has made us all
There lives a God! When life is waning,
his love is near and he shall save
My years are all of his ordaining
He only taketh what he gave
The grave shall not end all for me
Thou livest, God...I live in thee.
"We are going through Da'ath (knowledge)
to get to Netzach (victory)."
-from L. F.
She Encouraged Me
I was deeply saddened to read of Elizabeth's passing. Your mother had a deep and abiding impact on my life and outlook as faculty member... I loved her humor and persistent jovial outlook on life. She encouraged me to be just who I am and to stop worrying about what others thought I should be. Always encouraging and a steadfast colleague-friend. Although I haven't seen her in more recent years, she remains one of my most cherished colleagues at IU. There is no other nor will there ever be another like Lisbet, as she once informed me she was called earlier in her life. A true pioneer and one of Bloomington's treasured citizens. - B.H.
Human Sexuality Class in New Albany
I took a human sexuality class ca. 1988 via television from I.U.S. in New Albany, In. Dr Lion really took an interest in our class, and her comments about our studies always will remain with me. loved the class. Wonderful person. - M. F., R.N.