Elizabeth Hare Obituary

Liz passed away Sunday, March 6th at Bridge Haven Village after a long-fought battle with Alzheimer's Disease. Memorial services will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church on Thursday, March 24th at 10:30 AM with a birthday celebration to follow. Memorial contributions can be made through Douglas Co. Community Foundation to Hare Family Garden Fund (located at Trinity) or Just Food. Memorials can also be made to Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland Chapter. All memorials can be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

She is survived by the greatest loves of her life; husband Jerry Hare-Lawrence, daughter Sally Hare-Schriner (Dan Schriner)-Lawrence, son Pat Hare (Frances)-Aiken, SC. Grandchildren: Nathan Schriner (Sara)-Olathe, KS, Andrew Hare (Danielle)-Ft. Mill, SC, Alexandra Sneegas (Jason)-Lenexa, KS and Phillip Hare-Knoxville, TN. Great-grandchildren: Olive and Charlie Sneegas and Robyn Schriner.

Liz was born on March 24, 1935, in Kearney, NE the only child of August & Laferne Hackman. Her formative years were spent in Grand Island, NE with exception to the 3 years her father was in Europe with the Army Railroad Division during WWII. During that time, she and her mother traveled the country living with relatives in Nebraska, Colorado, and California. After graduating from Grand Island Senior High School, she attended the University of Nebraska graduating with a degree in Spanish. She married her childhood sweetheart, Jerry Hare on December 29, 1956, in Grand Island.

Her career in Public Relations started with the Topeka YWCA in 1971. Because of her work with the YWCA and the League of Woman Voters she was part of the group that lobbied the Kansas state legislature as they ratified the Equal Rights Amendment. She felt the ERA was important to more than just woman, it represented equal rights of all people. After the YWCA, she was the PR and Membership Director for the Kansas Hospital Assn.

In 1977, the family moved to Greenwood, MS. It was a difficult transition for her, but to Liz's credit, she always made lemonade out of lemons. For 12 years, she was the PR, Marketing and Volunteer Director of the Greenwood/Leflore Hospital during a time when women were NOT hospital executives. She was not afraid to fight for her rights as a woman.

After moving to Hutchinson, KS in 1988, she became the Executive Director of the Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland Chapter. She was active in Rotary where she was the first woman President of the Hutchinson Rotary Fellowship and was a Paul Harris Fellow.

Their last move was to Lawrence in 2001. During her "retirement" in Lawrence, she worked at Trinity Episcopal Church and was active in the Pi Beta Phi Alumni Chapter, New Generations, and EA Chapter of PEO.

Liz's family has great gratitude for the staff of Bridge Haven Oma's House for their unconditional love and support during her 18 months stay.

20 years ago, she was asked what her achievements were. In her own words, "Hmm. Let's see. Overall, I'm just happy to have survived a basically good time in life, being able to contribute something to the good of the community. My proudest moments are when I'm with our children, seeing that they are reasonably well-adjusted, honorable people who believe in the strength of family….and call us every now and then."

For more information or to post a condolence go to warrenmcelwain.com.