Elisabeth Anne Eckstrom, 48, of Guilford, died peacefully on Nov. 23 at Gaylord Hospital.  She was born on Sept. 13, 1962, daughter of Richard and Cynthia (Norton) Eckstrom.  Lis attended Guilford Public Schools and graduated from the Hammonassett School in Madison. She had worked for SNET in the Hamden and Wallingford business offices for many years until she was unable to walk due to a rare form of Ataxia.

Growing up in Guilford, Lis enjoyed riding her pony, Merry Legs, and was an avid swimmer, even up until her death.  She was a brilliant person with a fantastic memory and sharp wit.  Lis loved the outdoors, and took special care feeding many birds – gulls would eat out of her hand.  

Lis showed great courage in the last years of her life and never gave up.  She always looked at a cloudy day and say “the sun is coming out soon – you just wait.”  Her family will miss her wonderful smile.

Besides her parents, she is survived by her sister, C. Leigh Butterworth and her husband Frank S. (Butch) Butterworth of Mt. Carmel, and her nephews, Tyler and Cody Eckstrom and their mother Eileen Daniels of Middletown. She was predeceased by her brother, Thomas Norton Eckstrom, on March 6, 2010.  

A requiem Eucharist will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 27, at Christ Episcopal Church, Park St., Guilford, followed by burial in Westside Cemetery, Guilford.  In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Elisabeth with a memorial gift are asked to make donations to the FARA, Friedreich Ataxia Research Alliance, PO Box 1537, Springfield, VA  22151.  The Guilford Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. For more information or to send an online condolence for the family, please visit www.GuilfordFuneralHome.com.