Elizabeth Ann "Liz" Hessen

1951 - 2024

Elizabeth Ann Hessen (Liz), 73, passed away peacefully in the presence of her family in her home on July 29, 2024, after a battle with Huntington's Disease. She was born May 29, 1951, to Albert and Elizabeth Gary in Memphis, Tennessee.

She is survived by her husband of 39 years, Harry Hessen, and three children, daughter Johnna Gaustad married to son-in-law Abe Gaustad, son Michael Cerrito married to daughter-in-law Sara Cerrito, and daughter Chelsey Hessen. In addition, she leaves three grandchildren, Gressa Gaustad, Bren Gaustad, and Jessie Marie Cerrito.

She graduated from Overton High School May 27, 1969. Liz was first married to John Cerrito on November 28, 1969, and gave birth to Johnna and Michael. Tragically, John passed away March 30, 1977. Liz went on to raise two children as a single mother, trained as an engineering draftsman and was employed by Dover Elevator where she met Harry. They were married on June 28, 1985 at St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Memphis, and later she had her third child, Chelsey.

Liz was a hard worker and a dedicated mother and wife; however, her passion was creativity. Her love for art grew into creating "Crazy Like the Moon Studio", a joint adventure with her husband Harry in 1990.

Her Artist Statement says it all:

"A whimsical attitude toward common objects is the catalyst of my work - turning a plate into a scene that calls for a second glance, tells a story, or evokes a smile. Inspiration comes from everywhere; my enormous and very lazy cat Gabby, my daughter's horse, a single donut left on the table, but mostly a slightly skewed view of everyday life. From decorative plates and quote plates to service pieces that are conversation pieces - everything evolving from my studio is unique and hopefully wakeful to the viewer's imagination."

Her work was seen and sold at the Cooper Young Festival, Midtown Artist Market and at the Atlanta Merchant Market.

Liz was always about helping people and volunteered when a need was required. She moved on to receive a Medical Assistant Diploma from Concord November 11, 2006, and worked as a medical tech for several years.

She was always hungry to learn something new. She and her husband built a backyard chicken coop and had several backyard chickens, raised for the best-tasting eggs you would ever eat. She started a blog and Facebook page called "For the Love of Chicken Poop" with over one thousand followers from all over the world. She was invited to write several articles for major publications about her experiences with backyard chickens.

Creativity was one of her middle names, and she showed it in many ways, from preparing floral arrangements, to sewing, to decorating their Midtown home. Liz was full of life. She was a runner, and she loved the beach and harmonizing with nature.

The family will receive friends for visitation Tuesday August 6, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00. There will be a service Wednesday August 7, 2024, from 11:00 to 12:00 PM. Both events will be at Memorial Park Funeral Home & Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Avenue. Memphis, Tennessee.

Donations are welcomed in her name to the Huntington's Disease Society of America. https://hdsa.org/