Elizabeth Jamo

Elizabeth Jamo, 62, passed from present time into eternity on December 11, 2019, at home in the arms of her loving family. With grace and strength she fought a challenging twenty month battle against an aggressive brain tumor. Liz, the seventh of eight Koepke children, was born in Chicago, IL on November 22, 1957, and raised in Plymouth, MI where she attended Catholic grade school and graduated from Plymouth Salem High School in 1975. Liz met her husband Jim during their first year of college and they were inseparable until her last breath. Liz was deeply rooted in family, friends and community. She was kind to everyone, no exceptions.

Liz had an undergraduate degree in business and spent her career working in various business accounting and financial management roles, as well as several positions within the East Lansing Public Schools including as a special education para-professional, instructional aide, assistant to the athletic director, food services accounting, and accountant in the business office before taking an early retirement in 2015 to manage son Benjamin’s dental practice. She dedicated time and brought great energy to volunteer projects and organizations.

Liz truly loved life, had an unwavering positive outlook and strong faith. She enjoyed traveling, anything from the big city to wilderness adventures. After college Jim and Liz packed up a Ford Pinto and headed to California – camping their way across the country. They settled in Sausalito for a couple years and enjoyed everything living on the west coast had to offer. After returning to Michigan to raise a family, Jim and Liz continued to travel with Cristina and Benjamin, always planning trips that immersed them in the true culture of the place they were visiting. For the past 22 years the family spent much time and shared special moments with extended family and friends during the summer at their cottage in Northern Michigan. Annual winter ski trips to Colorado and Montana were a staple.

In addition to traveling, a pillar of Liz’s life was music. She passed down her love of piano to both kids and impressed upon them the importance of playing an instrument. As a member of her high school marching band she played flute at the Orange Bowl. Listening to both recorded and live music was a regular family activity.

Liz’s motto throughout her illness paralleled how she lived – with an Open Mind, a Grateful Heart, and No Limits on what could be achieved.

Liz is survived by her husband James, daughter Cristina, and son Benjamin. Surviving family, Paula Koepke, Ann Arbor, MI, Peter Koepke (children Claire and Gavin), Newburg, NY, Thomas Koepke (wife Deborah, children Elena and Ross), Stanton, MI, Jane Cartwright (husband Jack, children Jackie and Katie) Seaside, OR, Kathryn Koepke (husband John Osburn), Portland, OR, and Christopher Koepke (wife Elizabeth Clark, daughter Maya), Baltimore, MD. She was preceded in death by her brother William and her parents Russ and Ruth.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Jan. 18, 2020 at 11 a.m. at St. John Church and Student Center, 327 MAC, East Lansing. A reception will be held following the service.

Memorial donations can be made to: Head for the Cure in Elizabeth Jamo’s honor at Head for the Cure Foundation | 1607 Oak St. | Kansas City, Missouri 64108 https://www.headforthecure.org/foundation/memorials/elizabeth-jamo

The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, East Chapel, East Lansing.

www.greastlansing.com