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Elizabeth Friedman Obituary
February 27, 1949 - April 10, 2022
Resident of Aptos
Liz Lyons Friedman passed away on Sunday April 10, 2022 following a courageous battle with cancer.
Liz was born in Buffalo, New York, the only child of George and Alice Lyons. While Liz was an only child, she did have two beloved "sisters," Margaret Lyons Brooks, her first cousin, and Emily Buchbinder, a friend of thirty-four years. They both were at Liz's side right through to the end. In addition, she had countless art friends (too numerous to list!), including the neighborhood "Cliffhangers" who gathered regularly on the benches above Seacliff State Beach to enjoy wine, food, and many, many laughs.
Liz graduated from Nardin Academy and went on to earn a B.A. (Daemen College) and Master's Degree (University of Buffalo) in Art. Soon after graduation, she started teaching at Canisius High School becoming the first female instructor in the school's history. She established and nurtured a fine arts department, which blossomed and flourished under her care.
In 1977, Liz relocated to Turlock, California where she continued teaching part-time at the Junior College level. After three years, it was on to the Bay Area where she took on the challenge of reviving a Fine Arts Program at Logan High School in Union City, CA. After six years, Liz once again relocated, this time to Aptos, where she launched her unique art career.
From 1986 to the present Liz offered the public a wide range of colorful, vibrant, striking and frequently humorous images via a number of mediums. She became a well-known artist in Santa Cruz County who often mentored others in the challenging field. On many occasions, she was the poster artist for the Capitola Art & Wine Festival, the Begonia Festival, and the Sausalito Art Festival.
Liz developed quite a local following and frequently spent the winter months participating in shows in Arizona and the Southwest. She is the only artist to have participated in every single year of Santa Cruz County's Open Studios Program. She was able to keep the streak going even while battling cancer over the last six years.
Liz is survived by twenty-six cousins, her companion, John Gavrilis, her ex-husband Mark Friedman, and her "perfect dog" Jake. John and Mark were instrumental in Liz's care over the past six years and by her bedside, along with Margaret and Emily, when she died.
Liz may be physically gone but her memory lives on in the hearts and minds of her many friends and family across the country in addition to the hundreds of art lovers who own and cherish her work.
A celebration of life is being planned. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Peace of Mind Dog Rescue (www.peaceofminddogrescue.org) or the Santa Cruz Arts Council (www.artscouncilsc.org) in her memory.
View the online memorial for Elizabeth "Liz" Lyons Friedman
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Elizabeth Friedman
Sponsored by santacruzsentinel.com.
Paul paolini
January 2, 2025
Paul Paolini class of 73 you made art fun for me. I loved and looked forward to your class 2 times a week. Rest in peace Mrs.Freidman
Terry Demaline
June 19, 2022
So sorry for the news. Dear Liz [Mom], I will always have a smile thinking of you. Week or so past, a friend was over for dinner and she asked about Liz's prints from the 70s. Many people asked. I decided to say Hi so I sent a note to Lizprints. That's when I got the hard news. Met Mark and Liz in the 70s and we became good friends. We spent many hours at the No Name Bar in Buffalo and Poopies Paradise in Farmersville Station, Mark and Liz's Camp. Many laughs and good times. Mark, I'm sure tough days. Please get in touch.
Lisa Viani
June 17, 2022
My husband and I met Liz Lyons Friedman at the Capitola Art and Wine Festival in September of 2012. We stopped by her booth to purchase the poster she did for the festival that year. She graciously asked if we would like it signed. I had no idea she was the lovely artist that had created that poster for the 30th anniversary. We engaged in small talk and what I really recall was that she was engaging and vibrant. Rest in paradise sweet lady.
Mel Hoffman & Trudi Stone
May 7, 2022
We now live near Portland and were shocked to hear of Liz's passing, so young & vital. We saw her occasionally when visiting in Santa Cruz. We enjoy several pieces of her art and will miss her warmth and superb talent.
Donna Maurillo
May 5, 2022
I don't think I ever met Liz in person, but her name is well-known all over the county and in the arts community. It's truly a tragedy to lose someone who has been so instrumental in changing people's lives through art... whether as an artist or as a teacher or as a mentor. People like her are priceless assets, and they leave indelible marks when they pass on. Condolences to all who knew and loved her.
Karen Kaplan
May 5, 2022
The Capitola Art & Wine Festival won't be the same without Liz Lyons Friedman. She was a wonderful artist! Condolences to her family & friends.
Diana Irvin
April 16, 2022
Oh my. We loved Liz. We have many of her art works at our house in Palo Alto and at our house just a block away from her in Aptos. She would walk past our house there just to keep an eye on it. We were over there just this last weekend and I almost knocked on her door to say hi. Had no idea that was the day she died. We had talked about her illness, but had no idea that she would die. M husband and I are crushed.
Sue Bradford-Moore (Carbon)
April 15, 2022
You will always be the sunshine.
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