BORN

1927 – 2013

Elizabeth Dickinson Obituary

Longtime La Jolla resident and San Diego Mediator and Peacemaker, Elizabeth Dickinson, died March 24, 2013, in her sleep. She was 85.
Elizabeth was greatly beloved at the National Conflict Resolution Center (NCRC), formerly San Diego Mediation Center), where she participated over a period of twenty years as a volunteer mediator, trainer and Board member. She began mediating in 1988 and over the years handled all types of cases including Superior Court personal injury cases and eldercare cases. She was active as a mediator and board member until she was 80 years old. Elizabeth was on the selection committee of the Peacemaker Awards, and annual event honoring peacemakers in San Diego and around the country.
Born Marion Elizabeth Crouch on July 10, 1927, in Pulaski, Virginia, her family moved fifty miles to the Appalachian foothill town of Marion, Virginia, when she was 11 years old. Her father managed the Virginia Lincoln Furniture Company while her mother raised Elizabeth and her older sister, Mildred. In the beginning of the seventh grade, a boy in her class named Nathan Dickinson scratched "I love you" on a protractor and passed it to her. They eventually became high school sweethearts and married in 1950.
The Dickinson family moved to La Jolla in 1960 and lived in the Windansea area. Elizabeth was soon involved with the League of Women Voters and a variety of drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs. She also returned to college at San Diego State, earning her degree in political science. Nathan worked for Control Data and during the 1970s and 1980s, the company posted the Dickinsons in various foreign locales including Mexico City, Mexico; Vienna, Austria; and Melbourne, Australia. They always maintained ties in La Jolla.
When they returned to La Jolla in 1984, Elizabeth continued working with nonprofit and community organizations. In addition to her work with NCRC, she spent two decades on the board of the directors for Rachel's Women's Center, a homeless women's shelter sponsored by Catholic Charities. She was an active member of the Democratic Party and ACLU. "She brought her whole self to the moment, her quick mind, her wide circle of friends, her love of family, her great repertoire of lifetime stories, and her love of chocolate," said Liz O'Brien, a past president of the NCRC.
Elizabeth could often be seen walking along the La Jolla Cove wearing a yellow sweater or jacket, befriending locals and tourists alike. She is remembered for her love of her friends, grandchildren, chocolate, and her own month-long birthday celebration.
She is survived by a daughter, Lisa Hyslop of La Jolla; son, Nate of Portland, Oregon; two grandchildren, Natalie Dickinson in Portland and Kate Dickinson in San Diego; and two great-granddaughters, three-year-old Luella and one-month-old Zora Villaseñor, daughters of Kate Dickinson.
A celebration of life service will be held Saturday, April 13, 2013, at 2 p.m. at the La Jolla Bridge Club at the La Jolla Cove Park.

Published by La Jolla Light from Apr. 4 to May 2, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
for Elizabeth Dickinson

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Mrs. Dickinson will always be smiling and bringing a smile to my face. Open ended questions and for some reason she trusted Nate and I.......LOL. A great lady whose house was always a second home to me, whether in La Jolla or Minnesota! Love, Bruce

Bruce Robinson

July 10, 2013

I am sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you. May God who is healing the broken hearted ones comfort you at this time of grief. Psalm 147:3

April 24, 2013

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to your family at this most difficult time. Please be assured that God will help you cope with the heavy weight of your loss. “Blessed be Almighty God who daily carries the load for us.” Psalms 68:19

L

April 22, 2013

I also saw the dumpster in the driveway, but the thought of it signaling her passing was too hard to bear. So I decided that she must be doing a Spring cleaning. During recent years she has returned some objects, photos and cards to me that were given to her by my mother Carrie, who was a very close friend of Elizabeth's until her early demise in '89. Elizabeth diligently kept up with the news in the Taylor family and I was lucky to have had many lovely visits with her, always with lots of laughter. I will always hear her sweet, funny, southern voice in my ear. Actually I hear Nate's as well and it comforts me to imagine them reunited now. Love to Lisa and Nate and families.

Debi Taylor

April 21, 2013

Elizabeth was a long-time beloved friend through National Conflict Resolution Center. We met in 1987 when she took mediation training and became a wonderful volunteer mediator. She served on the Board and on the Peacemaker Committees and we enjoyed many fun times together. She was supportive and wonderful to all of her friends.I asked her in the early 90's how to apply for my children to be adopted by her and Nate since they took their granddaughters on such wonderful adventures. My daughters loved her, too. We will all miss her and will think of her every time we eat at Harry's Coffee Shop in La Jolla, a place we loved to go together.

Robin Seigled

April 14, 2013

I went to school with Nate (Dick), but didn't meet Elizabeth until I was in 10th grade. She and I would walk our dogs on the beach in front of Sea Lane - she and her Rhodesian Ridgeback, me and my Irish Setter. She would always ask how school was going and was the most encouraging, thought-provoking person to walk and talk with. When I said I was stumped on what classes to take my junior year, she suggested dance - a class her daughter was enjoying. I tried it and for the next 20 years dance was my life. I revisited Elizabeth as a single mom in my 30's and she again gently, thoughtfully gave me suggestions and insights and helped to point me in a life direction. I am unable to come to Saturday's service, but I wanted to share what a strong, quiet influence Elizabeth was in my life. She will be missed.

Nancy Quint Hagan

April 11, 2013

To the Dickinson Family. During this difficult time family, friends and even strangers want to express how much they care for your family by a note or a warm hug. Proverbs I7:17 says "A true companion is loving all the time, and is a brother that is born for when there is distress."

April 10, 2013

Fondly, we say farewell to a good friend.

Lois and Jim Lasry

April 10, 2013

Nate, Lisa, Natalie and Kate: I sorry for the loss if Elizabeth. I would like to be at her memorial as I was for Nate Sr., but my health will not permit it this time. Your mother and grandmother was a gracious hostess with the patience of a saint in putting up with many of the adventures your father(grandfather) and I got into. Bill Stevens, Julian, CA

April 10, 2013

Elizabeth and I shared a love for two very special people, Kate and Natalie Dickinson (her granddaughters, my nieces). Although I didn't see Elizabeth and her husband, Nate very often, I always enjoyed their company and was touched by their devotion to
one another. They were a hoot. I last saw Elizabeth in November 2011, when I visited San Diego for a Packers-Chargers game, and Natalie and Kate got her to don a Cheesehead (I have the photo to prove it). Rest in peace,
dear Elizabeth.

Becky Brumder

April 9, 2013

I have many wonderful memories of both Elizabeth and Nate, spending time with my grandparents, Charles and Dorothy. As a child, I admired their love for each other and always appreciated their warm and inviting home. My condolences to you all.

Elizabeth Newton Brushwyler

April 8, 2013

We will miss Elizabeth's warm smile and welcoming spirit and her life stories of travel and motherhood. She is a treasure of the neighborhood and we were so saddened to see the news in this weeks la Jolla light. Our sincere condolences to the family. She will be very missed. -the stricklands

April 5, 2013

When I drove down Eads Avenue last Sunday and saw the large dumpster in front of Elizabeth's house, I wondered what was going on. I tried calling her phone number and found it disconnected. Than I began to fear the worst. My condolances to Lisa and Nate and the family. I am sorry I didn't contact Elizabeth earlier to see how she was doing. I first met her in 1963 and appreciated her dedication to community. She and Nate spent some time in Vienna, as did my husband and I. We enjoyed comparing Austrian anecdotes. She was a good person.

Elsie Land

April 4, 2013

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