Elizabeth I. Bickel

1943 - 2021

Elizabeth I. Bickel

Lebanon, NH — Elizabeth Irene Bickel, 78, a long-time resident of the Woodlands in Lebanon, NH, passed away at Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital on May 13, 2021. Born on March 20, 1943, in Passaic City, NJ, to Dr. Irene J. Zalewski-Dobrowolski, MD and Dr. William Dobrowolski, DDS, she was very close to her brother, Peter, who was 5 years her senior.

Liz graduated in 1964 with a Bachelor of Arts in Literature from the University of Michigan. While in Ann Arbor, she met Thomas F. Bickel and the couple were married in Passaic City, NJ in May of 1964.

Liz and Tom lived for some time in California, where they had a home on the beachfront. They came to the Upper Valley in 1967 when Thomas accepted a position as a Professor of Mathematics at Dartmouth College then moved to Enfield in 1970. Liz and Thomas both enjoyed walking the Rail Trail and hiking other trails of the Upper Valley. Tom especially enjoyed birdwatching and photography.

Liz was an avid reader with a focus on plants, politics, and Eastern Religion.

Liz was a professional landscape designer and gardener. She was a long-time volunteer at and supporter of the Canillas Community Garden beside Emerson Gardens Apartments in Lebanon, NH and took great pride in her work. Perhaps, that it is most fitting that even a few days before her death she was able to spend time in her garden.

Liz was a political activist and a Democrat; she loved to talk politics.

Liz became interested in eastern medicine, religion, and philosophy. She was a proponent of mindfulness and the writings of Pema Chadron.

Liz was a volunteer for many years for a community advocacy group. She worked the night shift, taking phone calls, and was instrumental in helping victims of abuse by her ability to de-escalate abusive situations.

Liz was heavily involved in the community at the Woodlands and generously donated her car to the Haven when her health was declining. She wanted to be able to help others less fortunate.

Liz was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Tom, whom she cared for until his death in 2017; and her brother, Dr. Peter Dobrowolski, MD, who passed in 1970.

A Celebration of Life is pending and will be announced.

Memorial donations may be made to the Elizabeth Bickel Scholarship Fund, in care of the NH Charitable Foundation.

To leave a remembrance of Liz, please visit the online guestbook at www.rickerfuneralhome.com.