Elizabeth Euphemia Moore Erickson

Erickson, Elizabeth Euphemia Moore
April 22, 1915 – December 26, 2008. Elizabeth Euphemia Moore Erickson will be remembered by family and friends for her personal grace, love and acceptance of others, sophisticated intelligence, and her quiet ability to inspire hope in those around her. Born on April 22, 1915 in Detroit Michigan to Guy Walter Moore and Lillie Blondin Moore, she was the only daughter with an older and a younger brother. Raised in Detroit she attended public schools and Detroit City College and earned a Bachelors degree of Psychology from Wayne State University in 1936. That same year, she married the late Milton Hyland Erickson M.D. Together they raised a family of eight children—four boys and four girls: Albert II, Lance, Carol, Betty Alice, Allan, Robert, Roxanna and Kristina. The family moved to Phoenix in 1948, where Milton, a psychiatrist, opened a private practice in their family home. Dr and Mrs Erickson created a remarkable team. Blessed with exceptional drive and abilities, complemented by appreciation for work well done, they became leaders in the advancement of psychology in medicine. Erickson's approach created a new orientation to psychotherapy that inspired myriad others to continue their seminal work. Elizabeth contributed to these efforts as a co-author and critic of her husband's work, helping him refine his ideas so they could be better understood by others. She also delighted in her role as editor and proofreader, an expertise she retained into her ninth decade of life. Her many contributions to the advancement of Ericksonian psychotherapy have been recognized internationally.Center of the Erickson family, Elizabeth also contributed to the world as a unique individual. She loved to travel and was proud to say that she had visited every continent except Asia. She made friends worldwide with whom she continued correspondence. She was a founding member of the Heard Museum, a patron of the arts, an ardent conservationist, and a champion for all dogs. Elizabeth lived with grace, never forgetting that it is how we live the moments of our days that define our lives — the enjoyment of a beautiful flower, a brilliant sunset, a favorite story, a kind word, or a treasured friendship. Her dignity, enthusiasm, and positive way of viewing the world give inspiration to us all. Elizabeth Erickson died at her home on December 26th attended to by a daughter, a grand-daughter, and a great-granddaughter. She is survived by all of her children, 33 grandchildren, 55 great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the charity of your choice or to the Elizabeth Erickson Scholarship Fund through the Milton H. Erickson Foundation Archives (Erickson-foundation.org). A private Celebration of Elizabeth Erickson's Life will be held at the family home on Tuesday January 6th, at 3 pm.