Lizbeth Jane Stevens

Lizbeth Jane Curme Stevens, devoted wife, mother, and professor of speech language pathology, was taken by pancreatic cancer on August 24, when she passed away at home surrounded by loved ones.
For over 40 years, Liz dedicated herself to the field of communication disorders, serving children, adults, and training generations of speech pathologists. Her areas of expertise were child language disorders and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). She was a passionate advocate for appropriate speech service delivery to children, providing congressional testimony in the state of Michigan which resulted in legislative victory.
Descended from a family of journalists and professors, Lizbeth earned a BA and MS from the University of Michigan and later a Ph.D. from Wayne State University. First working in the public school systems of Northville and Warren Woods, Liz became a professor, eventually becoming a full professor at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) in 1998 where she continued until 2019.
While the average survival time for pancreatic cancer stage 3 is six to eleven months, Liz was exceptional, surviving eight years. Her will to live mirrored her tenacity in her academic and professional accomplishments. During her lifetime, she served as EMU speech-language pathology program director; legislative councilor, state education advocacy leader, and advisory council member for the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA); and as vice-president for public schools, president-elect, and president for the Michigan Speech-Language-Hearing Association (MSHA). In addition, she was the first president and a co-founder of the board of directors for the Michigan Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation. Liz's exceptional service brought accolades including EMU's Dean's Award and Dale Rice Award; ASHA's Award for Continuing Education; and MSHA's Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the Honors of the Association, its highest tribute. She was awarded Distinguished Practitioner Fellow in Speech Pathology from the National Academies of Practice in 2022.
Despite her ultimate death, Lizbeth's life was one of victory by outliving her prognosis so long against statistical odds. She had much to live for. Beyond her profession, she was devoted to her husband John of 56 years and to her family. She traveled abroad and domestically throughout her life, played piano, and cultivated rose and butterfly gardens. She had a circle of dear friends. On quieter evenings she deciphered Wordle or Agatha Christie enigmas with her husband. Solving the greatest enigma in her life came when Liz was reunited with seven siblings, which resulted in a profound love that helped carry her through her illness. Yet her greatest ever love was and always will be for her husband, John, who made all the difference.
Lizbeth is survived by her husband John, her children Kim, Alex (with wife, Kyrie), and Miranda; her grandchildren Hana, Ben, and Yonatan Steiner, and Elsie Stevens; and her siblings, Annette Bacon, Nancy Curme Vansickle, Susan Curme Miller Lloyd, Carol Curme DeMicheal, Michael Curme, Jennifer Curme Delisi, and Kathy Curme Biagi. Her death was preceded by that of her dear brother, Ron Curme. She will be greatly missed by all of those whose lives she touched.
Memorials suggested to; Pancreatic Cancer Action Network; Michigan Speech Language Hearing Foundation or American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation.