Elizabeth Bloise

Elizabeth Ann "Liz" Bloise (nee Welzel) is at peace. Courageous throughout her entire battle with cancer, she died on her terms on February 12, 2015, at Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice. Only 47, she died far too early for those who treasure her, but she absolutely lived her days to the fullest, focusing on family, friends and all else she loved. Liz was born in Manhattan, NY, on May 28, 1967, to Horst Max and Constance (Holdcroft) Welzel, and she grew up in Seaford, NY. The youngest of three children, she graduated from MacArthur High School and the State University of New York at Stony Brook. While working as a medical technician, Liz found the true love of her life, Tommy Bloise, whom she married on April 27, 1996. She recently wrote that she was "grateful for every second" she got to spend with him, her best friend. Her other greatest joys were her children, Jessica (14) and Luke (12). She felt eternally blessed by the gifts they brought her through their humor, strength, creativity and compassion. Shortly after Liz and Tommy moved from Long Island, NY, to Sheboygan in 2004, Liz became the ideal volunteer for her children's classrooms, school programs and other activities, including Theater for Young Audiences. One friend summed up Liz's generous and willing spirit: "Liz was always the first to volunteer for pretty much anything with an ‘I can do that' attitude." She was also an active advocate for her children in their education and served as a model for many other parents. But most of all, she loved spending time with Tommy and her children. She loved doing crafts and was really skilled in everything from beading to crocheting, with her creations being sought after at fundraisers and cherished by friends. Liz was a friend who told it like it was with wit and compassion. She never let you off the hook if she knew you could do better. Through it all she was gracious, classy, and always putting others ahead of her. Liz was preceded in death by a father she deeply loved. She is survived by her mother, her older brother Michael and sister Sherry, all from Missoula, MT; the man she adored and who adored her back, Tommy; her children Jessica and Luke; and her many friends who encouraged her and supported her as she "kept on swimming, kept on swimming." The family would like to thank the staff of Vince Lombardi Cancer Center, Sheboygan County Cancer Fund, Froedtert Medical Center's 8NT staff, and Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice for their tender care. Please consider donating to the family's GoFundMe site (http://www.gofundme.com/lizbloise). A celebration of Liz's life will be held on Thursday, February 19, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. at First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ (N. 3rd St. and Bluff Ave., Sheboygan). Pastor Julia Hollister will officiate. A time of visitation and support will be held at the church from 2:30 p.m. until the time of service. To sign the guestbook visit: www.ballhornchapels.com "She realized the only control she had was how she chose to handle unexpected things. So, she made the decision to survive using courage, humor and grace. She was the Queen of her own life and the choice was hers." -- Kathy Kinney