Elizabeth Ruth (Croal) Reid

Reid, Elizabeth Ruth (neé Croal) Liz Reid passed away quietly on the morning of December 16, 2017, surrounded by family at Rakhma Peace Home in Minneapolis after a long battle with Alzheimer's. She was 87. Born Elizabeth Ruth Croal on June 5, 1930, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to parents Lee and Bernice Croal, Liz had a preternaturally upbeat disposition despite a sometimes harrowing childhood that found her supporting and caring for siblings Jane, Tom and Frank while still in her early teens. Possessed of a boisterous laugh and a radiant smile, Liz was always ready to share either at moment's notice. Graduating from high school in rural Madison, Minnesota, Liz earned a scholarship to Macalester College and later transferred to the University of Minnesota where she met her future husband of 62 years, Norm. Graduating from the U of M as a Physical Education teacher and aquatics enthusiast, she turned her teaching skills onto her seven children with Norm in the Minneapolis suburb of Crystal, where she became a passionate advocate for education, parks and people. Promoting the planning and development of local projects like the Crystal municipal pool complex and Becker Park, Liz was a longtime volunteer organizer and co-founder of the annual summer festival, the Crystal Frolics. Liz earned many honors and accolades for her community service including a 2006 Minnesota Parks and Recreation Association award honoring her 25 years of service to the community. She was also active in local politics, organizing for school board elections and congressional candidates. Doing the work for the good it would do and not the accolades that would accrue, worker-bee Liz was always an unsung hero who made the community better every day by doing whatever was necessary to make change happen. Liz was a lover of swing music, antic novels and family camping trips. An avid gardener for whom working the earth was the best solace and sanctuary, her flower beds and shrubs provided welcome spring and summer eruptions of color - and a good excuse to share plants, stories and her love of gardening with friends and family. Sharing, caring and community - persistent themes in the lifesong of Liz Reid. Preceded in death by husband Norm and brothers Thomas and Francis, Liz is survived by sisters Jane, Karen and Judy as well as by her 7 children, Michael, Jeffrey, Nancy, Robert, Thomas, Charles and Wendy, along with 8 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be held at the Minneapolis Cremation Society of Minnesota, 4343 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis, Saturday December 23 at 1 p.m. Memorial gifts may be made to Rakhma Peace Home, 4953 Aldrich Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55419 or People for Parks, PO Box 24901, Minneapolis, MN 55424 (peopleforparks.net). Or simply go out and plant a garden this spring. That's what Liz would really want you to do.

Published on December 22, 2017