Elizabeth Lillico Dunlap

2009 - 2022

Elizabeth Lillico Dunlap
September 8, 2009 - April 11, 2022

Elizabeth Dunlap was born in Hong Kong to Mary Golden Dunlap and Blake Dunlap. Her early years were full of travel and adventure throughout Asia with her parents and older sister, Helen. Elizabeth enjoyed exploring vibrant street markets, hunting for treasures and seeing koi fish and turtles. She developed her love of nature discovering butterflies, stick bugs, and frogs in the jungles near her home. Before leaving the Far East, the Dunlaps took a final excursion, hiking China's Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. At just the age of five, Elizabeth demonstrated her formidable determination through challenges. Never one to be persuaded by her parents to try new foods, she hiked the entire time on her own and refused all offerings of sustenance except for hot cocoa and rice.

The family spent a year in New York City before settling in Memphis, where Elizabeth attended St. Mary's Episcopal School. She developed interests in a wide range of activities, including dance, tap, rock climbing, robotics, and musical theater. Through these passions, Elizabeth formed many close relationships across a diverse group of friends. She was always inclusive and welcoming to others. Because of her sympathetic spirit, Elizabeth's friends, to whom she was wholeheartedly devoted, in turn loved her immensely.

Beyond all else, Elizabeth was guided by her imagination and love of nature. Whether through art, craft, or science, she filled endless hours exploring, tinkering, investigating, and building. Elizabeth was over the moon attending a 2021 summer camp focused on animals, where she was able to care for, cuddle, and grow in her understanding of all kinds of beloved creatures. Through visits to grandparents in New Mexico and annual extended family trips to Colorado, Elizabeth found a reprieve through nature, a place where her spirit expanded and her light shone most brightly.

Elizabeth was adored by her parents, Mary and Blake Dunlap, along with her ever-devoted sister, Helen Dunlap. Her grandparents, Nancy and Emmel Golden and Jane and Roy Dunlap, could not have been prouder of her or more in awe of her wise and endearing soul. Elizabeth's many aunts and uncles were charmed by her sharp wit and beyond-her-years perception. They include Martha and Mark Billions, Sarah and Adam Roy, Amy and Emmel Golden, Joana and Roy Dunlap, and Piper and John Wohlbier. Elizabeth was part of a tight-knit group, The Cousin Club, known for its strong bond, theatrical talent shows, and spoof documentaries. The Club members included Virginia and Mark Billions, Luke and Lydia Roy, Billy and Celeta Golden, and of course her sister, Helen. Elizabeth created many memories and special times choreographing shows and producing newspaper fashion shows with her cherished cousins Lorelei and Evelyn Wohlbier. Elizabeth was blessed with an extended family that spanned Tennessee, Minnesota, Colorado, New Mexico, and California, full of aunts, uncles, and cousins who knew her and saw her for the dedicated, determined, vibrant, and funny human she was. Last, Elizabeth was embraced and loved wholly by many at New Ballet Ensemble & School and St. Mary's Episcopal School, for which her family is ever grateful.

Elizabeth's presence will be felt always in dance and nature, which she loved so dearly.

Services will be held Monday, April 18, at Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 1720 Peabody Avenue. The visitation will begin at 10 a.m. in Trezevant Hall. The service will follow at 11 a.m.

Gifts to Helen Dunlap's education fund can be made to ugift529.com, Ugift code U52-E1Q.

Donations can be made in memory of Elizabeth Dunlap to: Kindred Place, kindred-place.org, 2180 Union Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104 or to Humane Society of Memphis & Shelby Co., memphishumane.org, 935 Farm Road, Memphis, TN 38134.