Elizabeth Downes McCabe

Elizabeth (Liz) was born to Willard Merrill Downes and Polly Whitney on March 14, 1928, at the US Naval Base Hospital in Manilla, Philippines. She was a 12th generation American tracing her roots back to her 9th great grandfather, Stephen Hopkins, at Jamestown in 1610, who upon learning of the death of his wife, and to reclaim his children, in 1614 returned to England and later remarried and permanently migrated to America with his family, including her 8th great grandfather, Giles Hopkins, aboard the Mayflower in 1620.

Liz was raised as a child of a US Navy Officer, who moved the family in the earlier years with each assignment. Born in the Philippines, she later lived on Coronado Island, CA, in Annapolis, MD, and Long Beach, CA, among other locales. While her father taught at the US Naval Academy for several years in the mid-1930s, Liz attended the Academy’s primary school for children of staff and faculty. Her elementary school report cards were straight As.

In 1943 during World War II, and while living in Toluca Lake, CA, Liz’s father, at that time a Capitan in the US Navy assigned to the Pentagon, sent her to live in remote Northern California with her paternal aunt and uncle in Lake County. While attending Upper Lake High School, she met and dated the love of her life, Hebert Leslie (Les) McCabe, Jr.

While Les served in the US Navy during and a short time after World War II, Liz returned to LA living in Toluca Lake and attended Los Angeles City College. She and sister Mary Alice (MA) walked to Studio City and caught the Red Car public transit to and from school each day.

After World War II and while Les was attending UC Davis, Liz and Les married at the North Hollywood Methodist Church on June 28, 1947. Her father, Rear Admiral W.M. Downes, proudly escorted her down the aisle. Sister Nancy Downes Bomar was her maid of honor.

Liz was a person of faith. A relationship with God was important to her. She introduced Les to Methodism while they were in high school attending the Upper Lake Methodist Church, was married in the North Hollywood Methodist Church, and all their children were baptized and attended the Methodist Church when growing up in Marysville, Redding, Grass Valley, and Merced. Liz was active in the Church, including United Methodist Women organization and its Estate Sales, and other activities.

Liz also was a lifelong supporter of education and civic duty. She proudly served 12 years on the Weaver Elementary School board, was a 4-H leader for the Lakeside and Mission 4-H Clubs, past-President of the Merced Women’s Club, Treasurer for the Committee to build the Merced Senior Center, a founding member of Friends of the Merced County Fair, an active member of the California Women in Agriculture winning its Bell Ringer award, just to name a few.

An avid reader, Liz particularly liked the classics and non-fiction works. She was a devoted student and player of bridge partnering for years with Sarah Lewis and winning the local tournament on multiple occasions. Her monthly group was comprised of some of her best friends. Although a superior player than Les, she humored him all their lives into believing he was the better player. That was her way. Liz also developed an interest and love for antiques. She and Les enjoyed their time antiquing with close friends Ernie and Cloerine Hewlett in Maine and surrounding states as well as locally. Liz also loved her garden, watching morning soap operas, being a mom and homemaker, and fellowship of the various organizations she belonged to, including Merced College Faculty Wives, and the Torchbearer Zeta Sorority.

Liz is preceded in death by her father, mother, sisters Mary Alice and Nancy, and is survived by her brother (Bill) and sister Sue (Mick); Five children: Lloyd (Sheila), Susanne, Bill (Paula), Brian, and Bob (Michele); Nine grandchildren: Derek, Miriah (Geoff), Alex, Chase (Kaci), Bailey (Beau), Kelsey (Derek), Alyssa, Matt, and Michael; and Five great-grandchildren: Conrad, Lillian, Sienna, MaKenna, and Harrison.

The memorial service will be held on Monday, March 27, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at United Methodist Church in Merced.

The family wishes to thank profusely the staff at Covenant Care Hospice who provided exceptional medical care and comfort to Liz and educational guidance and heartwarming comfort to the family while Liz was receiving at home continued medical care and later end of life services. Such service made the end time for Liz dignified, comforting, and compassionate.

Memorial donations can be made in the memory of Liz McCabe to the United Methodist Church of Merced, Friends of the Merced County Fair, Merced County 4-H at the UC Extension Service, Merced County Historical Society, California Women in Agriculture, and Covenant Care Hospice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.stratfordevansfunerals.com for the McCabe family.