Elizabeth Ann Ziegenfus

Elizabeth Ann Forsythe Ziegenfus – friend, lover, icon – was born on August 28, 1934 to Louise G. and Frances H. Forsythe in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. She died on March 25, 2026.

Elizabeth lived through many chapters, and her impact was deeply felt by those in her orbit. She was "Lizzy" – the youngest of four sisters: Frances, Marie Louise, and Julie. She was "Liz" – doubles partner/ travel companion/ best friend/ and loyal wife of 64 years to William Ziegenfus. She was "mom" to five children: Barbara, William (Pam Allen), Deborah (Timothy Newlin), Robin (Josh Gully), and Todd (Renee Tsai). She was "grandmom" to 11 grandchildren; "gigi" to 9 great-grandchildren.

To her community, Liz took on titles like student of Westtown, Swarthmore High, and Denison, and graduate of University of Pennsylvania. She was a dental hygienist, a realtor, an award-winning horticulturist and floral designer, a longtime member of the Providence Garden Club where she served as President, and co-founder of the Swarthmore Luminaria Fundraiser. To her inner circle, Liz was a gourmet chef, a vibrant hostess, a talented knitter and seamstress, a competitive bridge player, a curious conversationalist, an avid reader, and, sometimes, a potty mouth.

What all these titles don't portray is the energy Liz brought to them. She infused life into everything she did and everyone she encountered. She laughed loudly, spoke enthusiastically, and practiced abundance – in generosity, in spirit, in chocolate cake. She knew no stranger. She had no filter. She was a one-of-a-kind whose legacy will live on through the people and places she poured herself into.

Above all else, Liz valued community. She had a unique ability to make new friends everywhere she went, while also nurturing longstanding relationships. She had a covetable social calendar, and she made her friends feel like chosen family. She was the matriarch of a boisterous crew and is survived by her older sister Julie, four of her children, 11 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren. We picture her reunited with her beloved husband Bill, and her firstborn baby Barbara.

Liz was raised Quaker and found solace at Swarthmore Presbyterian Church. The church is where she married her high school sweetheart, where four of her children were baptised, two of her daughters were married, and where her ashes will be scattered, next to her husband. Liz's memorial will be held at the church at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 25.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Swarthmore Presbyterian Church.