Elizabeth Diane McCartney was born in Chicago, Illinois, and was a devoted mother to six children, and grandmother to four, who remained the center of her world throughout her life. Guided by a deep love for nature and a desire for a simpler, more peaceful life, she moved to Vermont to follow her dream of living in the mountains and running a bed and breakfast. Elizabeth was a passionate artist and a student of both art and social work. Her paintings, often inspired by landscapes and nature, reflected her appreciation for beauty and her connection to the natural world. She once said:

"I believe that I was born to be an artist. The freedom to express myself through my work is a spiritual as well as physical expression of my character, and is the very essence of myself as an individual. Being able to share my creativity and inspiration with the people I meet every day allows me the opportunity to share the aesthetics of my life's work. For that opportunity, I am eternally grateful. There is beauty all around us in every person, place and thing. If I can make a difference in just one person's life, then I have accomplished a great thing. It is called change."

She will be carried with us always — in our memories, in our hearts — as a mother, an artist, and a soul whose beauty and passion left a lasting light in the lives of all who knew her.