Elizabeth Finnegan

Elizabeth Finnegan

DURHAM - Elizabeth "Liz" Finnegan died at Emeritus at Sprucewood in Durham, New Hampshire on May 2, 2014, after a long illness. Liz was born Elizabeth Mae Collins on July 29, 1925, in Laconia, New Hampshire. Known as "Betty" in her youth, she attended local schools and graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1947, with a degree in English. She met Theodore Finnegan on the steps of Hamilton Smith Hall at the University, then the library where she worked. They married on June 14, 1947 and Liz became an Air Force wife in 1953 when her husband was recalled into service.

They lived in Texas, Germany, Colorado, Virginia, Taiwan, Waterville, Maine, but always returned to their home at 15 Madbury Road in Durham, where they lived for 43 years. While living in Colorado Springs she became an art student and studied ceramics with Alden Wynn, a noted potter and then continued her training in Taiwan under the eminent Wu Jang-Nung.

For several decades she taught pottery to students out of her shop and became a docent at the UNH art galleries, all while running a large household. She most enjoyed making clay beads and necklaces and taking part in craft fairs to sell her wares.

She is remembered for her beauty, her strong will, her strong sense of humor, her work ethic, and her broad interests in art and in people. She was a good listener and enjoyed fond relationships with many of her students. "She takes in strays" we liked to say.

She was preceded in death by her parents Inda "Mamie" and Lawton Quimby, and George "Chappie" Collins and her brother George Collins III. Her survivors include husband Theodore Finnegan and children's families Shawn Finnegan and John Cerullo, Katherine "Kitty" and Peter Marple, Bridget Finnegan and Mike Cleary, Timothy Finnegan, all of Durham; Terrence and Susan Finnegan of Sacramento, California; Toby and Yvonne Finnegan of Kensington, Maryland and Albuquerque, New Mexico; Michael and Kathleen Finnegan of Leesburg, Virginia, and Brendan Finnegan and Kari Olson Finnegan of Shakopee, Minnesota; sister Patricia Newton of Laconia, New Hampshire; 14 grandchildren who reside around the world, and countless nieces and nephews and friends.



Date of interment is yet to be determined. There will be a celebration of Liz's life this summer in Durham; details are in progress.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (1-866-232-8484), 322 Eighth Avenue, 7th floor, New York, N.Y. 10001 or visit www.alzfdn.org. This is an organization that supports dementia education and caregiving.

Visit www.kentandpelczarfh.com to sign an online guest book.

Visit www.fosters.com/obits for an online guest book.