Elizabeth “Liz” Prestel

February 1951 – August 8, 2024

Elizabeth "Liz" Prestel of Laurel, MD, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday 8 August 2024, at the age of 73, after a courageous battle with a long illness. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and great-aunt, cherished by all who knew her.

Born in February 1951 in Seattle, WA, to Earl and Shirley (Ferry) Hansen, Liz spent her early years in Seattle before her family settled in Erie, PA, where she grew up as the eldest of four siblings.

From a young age, Liz had a passion for nursing, which led her to the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University. She excelled academically and graduated as a member of the Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society. Liz's dedication to her profession did not stop there; she went on to earn a Master’s in Nursing while raising her three children, a remarkable achievement. Her nursing career spanned more than four decades, in the Cleveland and greater Baltimore/Washington, DC, areas. Liz specialized in women’s surgical oncology, earning the deep respect and admiration of both her patients and colleagues. Her exceptional care and tireless efforts helped her hospital team secure a prestigious Daisy Award.

Liz met the love of her life, David, while she was a freshman in college. She knew from their first meeting in a campus coffee shop that they were meant to be together, and told her friends that very night that she’d met her future husband. They married and shared 51 wonderful years together, raising three children and welcoming five grandchildren into their lives.

As a mother, Liz masterfully balanced her career, education, and family life. She was actively involved in her children’s lives, serving as a Brownie Troop leader, carpool driver, and an all-around supermom, ensuring her kids were always where they needed to be. She shared a passion for sports and the arts taking her kids to everything from Guardians and Cavs games, museums, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, to the amazing Cleveland Ballet and the Cleveland Orchestra and Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

Liz was a lifelong Presbyterian and later in life found a loving community at Grace Community Church, where she shared a special bond with her son. She was passionate about volunteering, particularly in packing Thanksgiving meals for those in need. Her Woven group at church was a source of deep friendship and spiritual support, and she cherished the connections she made there.

Liz was shy, sensitive, kind, and a good listener. She enjoyed playing classic games like Scrabble with her husband, Bingo with her daughter and friends, and Gin Rummy with her sons. She was also an avid reader, Trekkie, lover of all things NCIS, crocheter, and cross-stitcher. She loved to listen to Herb Score call baseball games on the radio, to watch action movies, and to explore the history of the places she went on vacation. She was also an amateur radio operator, call sign KA8CAC.

Liz is survived by her loving husband, David; her daughter, Rebecca; her sons, Tim (Angelina) and John (Kayleigh); and her five grandchildren: Chip, Ethan, Lily, Camille, and a soon-to-arrive baby girl. She is also survived by her siblings, Jim (Sandy), Sue, and Jeff (Carol), along with many nieces, nephews, grand-nephews, and a grand-niece. Liz was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Earl and Shirley.

Liz's gentle spirit, unwavering love, and dedication to her family and career will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, 26 October 2024 at Grace Community Church, 8200 Old Columbia Road, Fulton, MD 20759.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation made in Liz’s name to either the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo or to the Alzheimer’s Foundation. Both are causes Liz loved to support.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo: https://www.clevelandmetropar…

Alzheimer’s Foundation: https://alzfdn.org/donate/

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