Elizabeth Ann Whittington "Pan" Zettler

Elizabeth Ann Whittington "Pan" Zettler passed away on May 18, 2023, at the age of 81, in Stevenson, Washington. Pan died peacefully early in the morning doing what she loved best, visiting family in her camper and sitting with her husband Peter and their Jack Russel, Max.

Pan was born on November 20, 1941, in Natchez, Mississippi, to Homer Alexander Whittington and Elizabeth Wood Whittington. She is survived by her husband, Peter Emil Zettler, her daughters Edythe Elizabeth and Alexandria Wyeth (Christian Harkness) Zettler, and her son Auguste Flack Zettler. She was also survived by her grandchildren Michael Zettler (Jennifer Balchunas) and Elizabeth Zettler (Arne Martens) Crumpton; Tessa Marie (Ilyn Nathaniel) and Anna Louise Paulsen; Otto William, Issac Junez, Edythe Leonora, and Alexi Ann Zettler. Her sisters Rena Jean Schmieg and Leonora "Lynn" (Michael) Boyd, and brother Homer Alexander "Beau"(Marjorie) Whittington Jr., and many other extended family members and dear friends also survived her. She was preceded in death by her parents, Homer (1906-1996) and Elizabeth (1908-1990); her daughter, Leonora Wiss Zettler (1972-1979); her brother-in-law, Robert E. Schmieg, Sr (1931-2003); and her son-in-law Scott Chandler Crumpton (1956-2020).

In 2002, Pan wrote the following to introduce herself as the new president of the Eighth Judicial Circuit Court Bar Association. In her own words, this is a little about her history and accomplishments.

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FORUM8, EJCBA, Inc. Vol.62. No.1,

September 2002

President's Letter by Pan Zettler (Edited)

GREETINGS TO ALL,

As president of this great bar association, I used this first column to introduce myself. First, I want you to know one major thing about me- taped to the wall over my copier, I have pasted my favorite New Yorker cartoon that I most identify with at this stage. The cartoon shows a gathering with a guy with his hand extended to another to introduce himself, and he says, "Hi, I'm, I'm, I'm . . . You'll have to forgive me, I'm terrible with names." ...Everyone should have a permanent nametag but with bigger lettering each year; even when I introduce my spouse (his name is Peter, l looked it up), with whom I have lived since 1958, his name does not surface quickly, and my children and grandchildren know I will not introduce them.

I have been practicing law in Williston, Florida since I passed the Bar in 1981. This column will be about how I got here as a "latecomer" to this wonderful profession.

I was born and raised in Natchez, Mississippi. At the early age of 17, I married and then moved with Peter and our three-month-old baby, Edybeth, to the "Windy City" of Chicago so that Peter could attend the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. My southern parents believed we should spend our resources sending my husband to school, even though I intended to attend medical school.

After many years, having another child, Zandy, and Peter's obtaining all the degrees that the Art Institute ever gave to anyone, I finally got to go to undergraduate school at the University of Illinois, Chicago Circle Campus, and I was excited about teaching. I started teaching math and ballet at the brand-new Chicago High School without Walls in 1970. After a bit, we moved to Gainesville, Florida, to join some education colleagues. We started an unstructured high school (The Windsor Learning Community) out of the old Baird House on SE 7th Street, which evolved into Loblolly Learning Center after I left.

Eventually, Peter, Edy, Zandy, and I moved to the Williston area and I applied to UF Law School in 1971. I was admitted to begin in the Fall of '72. When I started, our son, Auguste, was three months old. After one semester of law school, I stopped and returned to teaching, birthed our fourth child, Nory, and decided to return to law school. Having just barely missed the "five-year" automatic re-entry, I had to write a request for readmission in which I had to explain why I had not come back within the five years. My teenage daughters nixed the "so many unexpected pregnancies" explanation with the comment, "They will never let you back in if you are too dumb to understand birth control."

Then a saga that I try hard not to remember began, culminating with my finally graduating with a law degree. While waiting to take the Florida Bar Exam, I had the joy of assisting the Honorable Stephan P. Mickle with his trial practice class at the law school and got a glimpse of what law school was like for others. I can never say enough about how patient and wonderful Judge Mickle was to me. To learn about the practical things about lawyering in such a way was a treat.

So what does a 40-year-old woman do to start actually practicing law?

I began working with William G. O'Neill, who had offices in Williston and Ocala. After a year and a half, I opened my office in Williston and have loved being here, practicing law and mediating matters ever since. I now practice general civil law from the old Williston Greyhound Bus Station, which I share with Peter. I get the front part for an office, and he has the larger back part for his art studio.

So now you know more than you may have wanted. My goal this year is to make our bar association the most INCLUSIVE it can be and to encourage every lawyer in our circuit to come and assist us in having a GREAT and PRODUCTIVE year. I sincerely thank you for the opportunity of serving you. So come. Let's all be active. Let's be supportive of each other. And last but not least, let's have a good time!!!

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EAW "Pan" Zettler retired from her practice around 2010 and then traveled the country at least twice a year with Peter and their dog, Max. She loved visiting friends and family and exploring the hidden treasures of the US and Canadian national park systems. She was an avid reader, camper, and quilter and continued participating in life until the very last moment. One minute she was here, and the next, she was gone.

She will be missed by all who knew her and had the fortune to experience her lovely generous spirit, extraordinary mind, and deep warm hugs.

A memorial service will be held at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Gainesville, FL, on November 20, 2023, at 2:00 pm. Following will be a festive birthday celebration of her life. Be well all.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Alzheimer's Association at act.alz.org.