Lizabeth Emily Cline

Lizabeth Emily Cline, age 79, of Washington, DC, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 30, 2025.
Lizabeth was born in Summit, New Jersey, to Robert and Glendora Rose on October 29, 1945. She grew up in Chatham, New Jersey, and was their third child and baby sister to her brother, Robert, and her sister, JoAnn. After attending the University of Maryland and earning a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Lizabeth met and married William Cline. They moved to Oxon Hill, Maryland, where she raised their daughter while teaching at the high school level and starting her own daycare. She was very involved in the school community and also spent time playing tennis and enjoying boating on the Chesapeake Bay.
They later moved to Vienna, Virginia, where she returned to the workforce and became a retail buyer and regional store manager for Woodward & Lothrop and Hecht's department stores. Upon William's death, she began taking beach trips to Bethany Beach, Delaware, where she met her partner, John Kelly. She was able to enjoy early retirement, and together they began a life of travel—enjoying the beaches of the East Coast, the Florida Keys, and Kauai, Hawaii.
She later moved to Washington, DC, where she cultivated her gardening skills and enjoyed needlepoint and reading. She returned to her first love—education—and became a substitute teacher for Georgetown Day School. Lizabeth was known for her poise and intelligence, and she was always gentle and caring when sharing her wisdom and advice. In her most recent years, she enjoyed an active social life, spending time with many friends and her cherished family, and stayed active by walking to neighborhood shops and restaurants in Georgetown, swimming, doing Pilates, and, of course, doting on her grandchildren.
Lizabeth is survived by her daughter, Ashli E. Cline of Ashburn, Virginia; and her brother, Robert G. Rose (Marie) of Ocean Pines, Maryland. She was predeceased by her husband, William R. Cline; her parents, Robert J. Rose and Glendora Rose Schnizer; and her sister, JoAnn Phipps. She leaves behind her daughter's son, Bryce W. Tucker; her partner, John Kelly; his loving family and children, Carrie Kelly (Peggy Redmon) and Keith Kelly (Kathryn Crone), and their son, Jack Kelly; as well as her beautiful extended family, including loving cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Lizabeth will be dearly missed by all those who loved her. May her memory be eternal.
An evening visitation for Lizabeth will be held Sunday, June 22, 2025 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Joseph Gawler's Sons, LLC, 5130 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016. A funeral service will occur Monday, June 23, 2025 at 10 a.m. at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 10550 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA 22066.
In lieu of flowers, tribute donations may be made to the American Heart Association.