Elizabeth Ann Kauffman

ELIZABETH ANN KAUFFMAN JANUARY 4, 1943 ~ APRIL 6, 2013 ELIZABETH ANN KAUFFMAN, 70, of Santa Fe, died peacefully at her home the morning of April 6, 2013. The cause of her passing was pancreatic cancer which her family and friends said she faced with courage, generosity and fortitude for almost one year. She was the wife of Stuart A. Kauffman and mother of a daughter, the late Merit Kauffman, and son Ethan, and daughter-in-law Diane. At her memorial conducted at the couple's home in the Santa Fe foothills, sunshine streamed in from the view overlooking Sun and Moon Mountains, a fitting setting for a woman who revered the outdoors and painted it with deep aesthetic wisdom ever since the couple moved to Santa Fe in 1986. Her colorful paintings lined the walls along with photographs of her with family and friends over the many years of her life. Liz Kauffman was born in Flushing, Queens, New York, on January 4, 1943. Her parents, the late Marin and Claudia Bianchi had immigrated to the United States in 1923. She was an only child. Liz graduated with a B.A.degree in only three years from Hofstra University on Long Island. In 1967 Liz was almost finished with an M.A. in arts education from Columbia Teachers College when she and Stuart married. Elizabeth combined being a housewife and artist with managing the family's real estate holdings in Santa Fe and her husband's scientific business affairs. Nevertheless, her home was her castle, her domain; and entertaining was her forte. She was a superb cook and hostess. Liz's cancer was first detected in the spring of 2012. Elizabeth Kauffman was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved daughter, Merit. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that donations in Liz's name may be made to charities of the donor's choice.