Elizabeth A. Weis

OSPREY, Fla. - Elizabeth A. Weis, born Dec. 28, 1928, passed on June 28, 2024. She is survived by her eight children, Walter, Alicia, Patricia, Elizabeth Jeanne, Dianna, Krystine, Marci and Kathleen; as well as 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Elizabeth graduated from Canisteo Central High School in New York as salutatorian in 1946 and then went on to receive her Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University in 1950. Upon graduation, she worked as a home economics teacher in Perry, New York.

After her marriage to Lawrence Weis, who predeceased her in 1984, she worked as a professional Girl Scout, supporting him as he finished his engineering degree. Upon his graduation and the birth of their first child, Elizabeth became a full-time mother and wife. During this period, while living in Ironwood Michigan, she served as president of the local Women's Club and the St. Ambrose Women's Club, now Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church.

Upon the death of Lawrence, Elizabeth returned to school, receiving an associate degree from Gogebic Community College, where she served as Student Senate president and graduated with honors. She then moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she attended the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, receiving a Juris Doctor in 1990 at the age of 60. While in law school, Elizabeth interned during the summers for former Judge Andy Tingstad in Bessemer, Michigan, and for the Allegheny Court System.

After graduation from law school, Elizabeth moved to Wilmington, North Carolina, where she sat for and passed the North Carolina bar exam. She then became a solo practitioner, specializing in elder law, estate planning and disability law. During that time, she served as chairman of the North Carolina Elder Law Section, the Wilmington Chapter of the AARP, and the chairman of the Adult Scholars of University of North Carolina, Wilmington. Additionally, she received awards for her pro bono work.

At the age of 75, Elizabeth closed her practice, and moved to Osprey, Florida, where she volunteered with Legal Aid of Manasota and served on the Willow Bend Homeowners Association. She then settled into a life of "walkabouts," visiting her children across the country, reading, gardening, trying new recipes, writing birthday letters to her family and enjoying life.

Donations in honor of Elizabeth's life can be made to the North Carolina Pro Bono Resource Center at ncprobono.org/support/.