Elizabeth Wessel

1959 - 2024

Elizabeth Wessel
07/22/1959 - 12/22/2024
Elizabeth "Liz" Morrison Wessel, 65, passed away on December 22, 2024, in Stinson Beach, California, after facing glioblastoma with courage and grace.
Liz was born on July 22, 1959, in San Francisco, California, to Peter and Susanne Morrison. She was the second of four children, with older brother Sandy, younger brother Stephen and sister Madeleine. She grew up in San Francisco, attending the Marin Country Day School and Katharine Branson School and spent cherished summers at Stinson Beach and Mt. Tamalpais. Liz earned a Bachelor of Science in biology and environmental studies from St. Lawrence University and a Master of Science in Regional and Urban Planning from the London School of Economics.
While at St. Lawrence, Liz met her future husband, Bill Wessel, during their freshman orientation week. They celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in June 2024. They built a life in Madison, Wisconsin, raising their son Joseph and daughter Dena. They are proud grandparents to Danielle and Callum.
A lifelong champion for the environment, Liz began her career as an intern environmental analyst at the New York Port Authority before joining Bill in London. She completed her master's and worked for "Gardening from Which?" magazine. Upon returning to the US, she worked with Citizens for a Better Environment, Wisconsin's Environmental Decade and served as Executive Director of Clean Wisconsin for four years. Later, she combined her love of travel and sustainability by founding Green Concierge Travel, a business dedicated to ecotravel with the motto "don't leave your values at home."
Liz's passion for nature was evident in every aspect of her life. She was an avid bird watcher who never ventured far without her field glasses and bird book. She volunteered with the Sierra Club of Wisconsin (Four Lakes Group) and the Partnership for National Trails. She and Bill enjoyed many alpine skiing and flyfishing trips out of state. Closer to town, she and Bill sought out Wisconsin's state and county parks in their Datsun roadster, hiking on the Ice Age trail, swimming at Devil's Lake or the river or enjoying an evening picnic and show with friends at American Players Theater. Liz had a passion for volleyball and through that, acquired a large group of life-long friends. She shared a love of trains from her Dad and loved Disney trips (to the parks or a cruise).
A celebration of Liz's life will be held on May 11th, 2 pm, at the First Unitarian Society of Madison, Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sierra Club of Wisconsin, First Unitarian Society , and V Point Blue (Palomarin bird banding station) .
Liz's effervescence, generosity, ethics, humor, openness, and inquisitiveness deeply touched all who knew her and she is greatly missed. May her memory inspire others to cherish the natural world she loved so dearly.