Elizabeth says that becoming a widow at 32 and raising her young daughter alone reshaped every part of her life. After losing her husband, Bryan, in 2020, she turned to music—once a hobby, now a lifeline—to navigate overwhelming grief. Returning to school felt impossible until she received an NFFF scholarship, which restored her sense of purpose and made higher education attainable. Over the past three years at Glendale Community College, she has earned top marks in Fine Arts with an emphasis on Music and will soon complete her associate’s degree. Her path shifted from music therapy to music education after discovering a passion for teaching while working as a music theory tutor, a role that deepened her understanding and allowed her to support other students.
She plans to continue her education through Ottawa University’s online program while remaining a tutor at GCC and staying present in her daughter’s daily life. For Elizabeth, pursuing her degree is not only about building a career, but also about modeling resilience, hope, and determination for her daughter, who lost her father at just eight years old. Elizabeth is profoundly grateful for the Foundation’s support, which has helped her rebuild her future and show her daughter that healing and purpose can grow even from profound grief.
Southwest Type 1 IMT Human Resource Specialist Patty Brookins shares, “I met Liz under the worst of circumstances when her husband perished in a helicopter crash. I have stepped away from Liz and her family, preferring not to be that reminder of such a difficult time, but I have followed her progress as she rebuilds her life. She is dedicated to her daughter and will thrive in the creative world of music. Additionally, Dr. Nina Cole Garguilo, Elizabeth’s instructor cites her characteristics as positive, energetic, attentive, reliable and humble.
