Elizabeth Autumn DeWeerd Jeffery lived with singular grace, dignity, and panache. Born to Michael and Martha (Gilbert) DeWeerd on November 21, 1976, Elizabeth died peacefully on July 11, 2022. Though the sting of death grips the hearts of her many loved ones, we grieve as those with hope, confident that God’s promise of life for Elizabeth has been fully realized.
Elizabeth was an extraordinary curator of truth and beauty, a nurturer of life, a collector of people, and a follower of Jesus Christ. Elizabeth’s exceptional domesticity made her house a haven for all who entered and a lovely home for her husband, Daniel, and their children William Hughes, Michael John, Katherine Lisbeth Jean, and James Arthur (WMKJ). Elizabeth was also a lifelong learner, a student and caretaker of God’s good earth, an avid reader, and an entrepreneur. She believed in giving God the firstfruits of each day, spending time with Him every morning before her daily "trot." As timeless as Grace Kelly and as steadfast as a Nebraska pioneer, Elizabeth was persistent through life's adversities, often meeting them with a flourish: a pineapple, a paintbrush, or that one-of-a-kind, scrunched-nose face she made.
The queen of important dates, prompt thank you notes, and a swept floor, Elizabeth loved her people beyond measure. She kept us laughing with her lively storytelling, antics, and isms; and she nurtured our hearts by seeing the best in others, spending time with us, and loving with unparalleled loyalty. Like the Velveteen Rabbit, relationships with people – long, honest, imperfect relationships – are what made Elizabeth real.
In addition to her parents, husband, and children, Elizabeth leaves behind her cherished grandmother, Dorothy DeWeerd, “Grandma D,” as well as her brothers and their families: Hugh and Laura (VandenBerg) DeWeerd with Abigail, Bradley, Henry, and Anna; and Daniel and Megan (Strong) DeWeerd with Sophia, Zoe, Charles, and Rosalie. Beloved wife, mother, daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin, and friend, Elizabeth is survived by an array of people too vast to enumerate, each one uniquely woven into her story and heart.
As Elizabeth would say, we are "not the boss of you;” however, in lieu of flowers, donations in her honor may be made to the family to assist with medical expenses.
The family will receive visitors from 4 - 7 p.m. Friday, July 15, 2022 at the Calvary Church of Wayland, 304 S. Main St., Wayland, MI 49348. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, July 17, 2022 at the Calvary Church of Wayland. The family welcomes memories and messages in their guest book online at www.kubiakcookwayland.com.
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Family - to assist with medical expenses
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