Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
Elizabeth Friel Obituary
Liz Friel passed away on Sunday, August 15, 2004 at age 53 in New Orleans of cancer. She was the daughter of Ronald Fairhall Smith and Ann Armstrong Smith of Miami, FL and Chatham, MA.
She is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Joseph Friel; her step-son, Evan Friel of San Francisco; her two sisters, Susan Weir of San Francisco and Sarah Carey of Baltimore. She is also survived by her loving mother-in-law, Marie Friel of New York; brothers-in-law, William Weir of San Francisco, Con Friel, Padraig Friel and sister-in-law, Katrina McGee from Ireland. She was the beloved aunt of Derek, Bix, Donnie, and Robyn Weir; Nicholas, James and Christopher Carey, Padraig, Maria, Paul, and Joseph Friel, Christopher, Elaine, Bridgin, and Padraig Friel, and David and Sinead McGee.
Liz was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on August 30, 1950 and lived in Westfield, New Jersey, Miami, San Francisco, New York City, and finally Biloxi, Mississippi.
She had a rewarding career in the airline industry, event planning, and concierge services in New York. Liz worked at the Beau Rivage Resort as a host.
Liz had an adventurous zest for life, a beautiful smile and sparkling personality which enchanted all who met her.
Her very wide circle of friends and family are invited to a Memorial Mass which will be held at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Biloxi at 12 noon on Saturday, August 21, 2004. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society. Telephone: 800-227-2345 or on line at www.cancer.org.
The Downtown Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home,
15th Street, Gulfport is in charge of arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Elizabeth Friel
Jack Bernard
September 3, 2024
It's been twenty years. I still can't believe you're gone. You were the best ever. I'm so glad you and Joe found each other. You deserved the best. Much love.
chuck and laura douglas
September 1, 2004
i attended high school in miami at palmetto high with betsy, as we knew her then. then flew briefly with her at nal. she was always alive and funny and lifted your spirit. she will be missed, take comfort she is in the best place we all hope to get to, she just went too soon.with sympathy, chuck and laura
SHELLEY MOORE BARLOW
August 27, 2004
LIZ, WHAT A SHOCK. I DIDN'T KNOW YOU WERE SICK. IT'S A SHAME WE ALL GET TOO BUSY TO KEEP IN BETTER TOUCH. I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW I HAD SO MUCH FUN FLYING WITH YOU. YOU NOT ONLY WERE FUN BUT YOU FELT THE SAME WAY I DID ABOUT PASSENGER SERVICE. WE WORKED AND GOT ALONG SO WELL. I STILL GET TEARS IN MY EYES WHEN I REMEMBER NATIONAL AIRLINES. WE WERE THE BEST YOU KNOW AND NO ONE WILL EVER BE AS GOOD AS WE WERE. MY SYMPATHY GOES OUT TO YOUR FAMILY. I KNOW THEY WILL MISS YOU SO VERY MUCH. YOU ARE IN PEACE NOW AND ARE NO LONGER IN PAIN. PRAISE GOD.
Gaile Esko
August 25, 2004
Liz, you brightened our lives, and I feel enriched having known you. Thanks for the laughter, and God bless you with lots of light and love.
CHERYL MELTON
August 24, 2004
LIZ...YOU ARE NOW WEARING THE BEST "WINGS" YOU EVER HAD... YOU HAVE LEFT US WITH SO MANY WONDERFUL MEMORIES..YOU WILL ALWAYS BE WITH US..CHERYL KURIT MELTON
Patrick & Nancy Scully
August 24, 2004
Liz was truely a gift from God..We will always remember her infecious smile and happy wit. Many a trip did she provide the rest of the crew with the spirit to perform with gracious and a positive attitude...We will miss you.
Normie Kane
August 23, 2004
Let our hearts be full of joyous memories of Liz at her most vibrant best, as we share the sadness & loss of such a sweet soul.
You are in my prayers.
Normie Kane
David Hinson
August 23, 2004
There are certain people that cross our lives that we never forget. Liz always brought a "perk" to both her fellow crew and passengers. You will always be remembered Liz!
Nancy Miller
August 23, 2004
Like so many others', my life was brightened by Liz and her lively spirit - we worked together at America West Airlines (post-Pan Am) and hit it off in a big way. The wedding at the Plaza was something I'll never forget and I've cherished my friendship with her and Joe and the rest of her wonderful family. Goodbye Liz - I'll miss you so much!
Nancy "Flash" Gordon
August 23, 2004
I remember Liz as such a fun-loving lady. We flew together at NAL, and I occasionally ran into her at Pan Am in faraway airports and cities. She had a smile and a joke for all, and was a wonderful asset to everyone who met her! My thoughts and prayers are with her family, and I'm sure she is in a wonderful place. Liz, please send my love to Eileen Mitchell and Martha Alexander...
Linda Mitchell
August 22, 2004
Want to say how very sorry I am with your loss of a great gal. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Liz will be missed very much. Linda Mitchell
Bill &Bob Ott
August 22, 2004
May God bless Liz and her family. We knew Liz from National and also, as one of our best friends and employees at the Brothers Two. Everyone loved her zest for life! She was a caring angel to everyone. All of us will miss her dearly. May her soul now rest in peace. With all our love to Liz and the family.
Cassandra Gorur
August 22, 2004
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you and her family. She was a great flight attendant. So sorry to hear about her passing.
Boo Granger
August 21, 2004
Liz was such a GREAT lady! So much fun to fly with....and we had good times on layovers, too!
My thoughts and prayers are with her family. She will be missed!
Love, Boo
Tekla "Tippi" Monteleon
August 21, 2004
People like Liz make the world a much better place. Liz was on one of my very first flights when I was a new flight attendant for NAL. Her kindness to the "rookie" will always be remembered.
My best to her family and many friends. I feel lucky to have known her.
Tekla Monteleon
NAL/PAA 77-91
Joyce Beebe-Dewey
August 21, 2004
Knowing Liz from National Airlines,
I will remember Liz's quick wit,and confidence she had with herself.And the many smiles & laughter shared. The Angels have brought her home to rest in peace. Prayers are sent to her family to find peace and comfort in your time of need. With Heart Felt Sorrow, Joyce
Lynn (Scherrer) James
August 21, 2004
Liz and I graduated from National Airlines training the same year. (1969) So many funny memories of Liz. We were lucky to have had her and thankful for all the sunshine she brought into so many peoples lives.
Dave Dollarhide
August 21, 2004
Liz was always "on go," with a smile on her face. I flew with her many times.
Sandy Bertman
August 21, 2004
Dear Liz,
Skip and I will miss your smiling face! Even though you and Joe are new friends we feel we have known you both for years. Your courage and fight during your illness gave us all so much hope! We love you and will miss you.
Love, Sandy and Skip
Dottie Mittuch-Moore
August 21, 2004
As a sister stewardess with Liz I am so sorry to hear of her passing.
I remember her as a very special and sweet person. God's love and peace to her family.
jan curran
August 20, 2004
wow how many times did you save me,,,,with your humor or your insight..1985 would have had a very different outcome for so many of us if not for your wise counsel..i love you for standing by my side thru that time...thnks for the rescue.....to have experienced your amazing wedding was a truely an experience. my heart is so full of you and our memories... i love you and thank you for all you have meant to me
Mary Ann De Brand-Davis
August 20, 2004
Liz and I flew many trips together. She was always fun to fly with. We had many talks about what life would hold for us. I am so happy that she found her soulmate. My sympathy and prayers go out to her family. She will light up heaven with her wonderful spirit.
Darryl Jackson
August 20, 2004
Our heart felt thoughts and prayers are with you. She will be missed, but not forgotten.
The Jackson Family
Susan Leibel Serrats
August 20, 2004
I remember flying with Liz to either LA or NY. Liz was always the life of the party. But yet you could sit with her in quiet moments. Even though I have been out of the airline business since 93', when I think of flying, Liz has always popped into my head. She will always be remembered in the highest regard. My thoughts are with her family.
Susan
Alana Botner-Hampton
August 20, 2004
So sad to hear the news. What a lovely person. May God comfort her family and friends.
Kathy Robertson
August 20, 2004
I had heard about Liz and her battle with cancer and knew what she was going through as I too have had cancer. I was diagnoised with a very rare type of leukemia, AML1 this past Dec. I did have chemo and the works having a bone marrow transplant on May 3rd. The cancer is gone for now. I have had a setback with the marrow and have faith that my counts will start climbing again. Liz was a great flt. attendant and she always brought a smile to everyone she came in contact with. My husband, Jim Robertson was a pilot for National and Pan Am and he remembered Liz with a smile. He said, God must have wanted another flt.attendant. Our sympathies are with you. Kathy(Meyer)and Jim Robertson
Judy (JP) Polinsky King
August 20, 2004
I was in National Airlines class of '69 with Liz. I am so sorry for your loss. She will be missed.
Kathy DeLorenzo
August 20, 2004
I flew for National Airlines, and had the chance to fly with Liz on many trips. She was a joy to work with, we always had fun and laughter. My thoughts are with you, her family. She will be missed.
Kathy DeLorenzo
National Airlines 1968
Delsa Winslow Amundson
August 20, 2004
Dearest Liz
I did not even know you were ill. I would have called or written or something. Maybe I would have pulled a crazy stunt to make you laugh.
You are gone but not forgotten and I send love and comfort to your entire family.
I know you are walking with the angels so I ask that you take a moment and watch over me.
Love you Liz Smith
Delsa
Mary Daniel
August 20, 2004
I was a National Airlines stewardess (as we were called back then) and met Liz shortly after she began her career at National. She graduated NAL training on December 30th, 1969. Lis was a joy to fly with and was loved by everyone.....crews and passengers alike. National merged with PanAm in January 1980 and Liz continued flying until the demise of PanAm in December 1991. That didn't stop her! She turned lemons into lemonade and began a new career in event planning. Liz left her imprint on all she met.
I remember how happy she was to meet and marry Joe. They were truly soul mates and he made her final days on this earth full of love.
She was a good friend and I will miss her always.
Liz, you and Martha Ann (Alexander) can now reunite to laugh about "the good old days."
Thanks for the memories, Lizzie! I love you!
warren cuevas
August 20, 2004
you will be sadly missed at the casino.
It was GOD'S time to give you your wings
as an angel and to enjoy eternal peace
Rest in peace dear one until we all meet
again
Kathy Mayfield
August 19, 2004
All thoughts and prayers are with the family. Liz was loved by all and always had a cheerful smile for us all. She will be missed.
Kathy
Robin
Chuck
Bertha
Karen
Pat Arthur
August 19, 2004
All our thoughts and prayers are with you and yours in this difficult
time. May God Bless and Keep you..
Carol Adelaar
August 19, 2004
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Liz was a special lady and will be missed by all. Fondly, Carol and Bob
Showing 1 - 34 of 34 results
Make a Donation
in Elizabeth Friel's name
Memorial Events
for Elizabeth Friel
Funeral services provided by:
Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home - 15th Street - Gulfport1726 15th Street, Gulfport, MS 39501
How to support Elizabeth's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Elizabeth Friel's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
