Elizabeth Askey

Elizabeth Hill “Liz” Askey, of Madison, Wisconsin, died on January 29, 2022, at the age of 85.  Liz was a wonderful, kind and welcoming person.  She was born to Ida Ramsey Hill and Vincent Hill on November 18, 1936, in Aberdeen, Washington.  Her parents were high school teachers, and she was the oldest of three children, who were her best friends.  She shared a room with her sister Martha and told her stories every night.  In high school she was editor of the newspaper, in the school play, did synchronized swimming, was the vice president of the Council of Girls, and was on the honor roll.  During her years as an undergraduate at Bryn Mawr College majoring in history, Liz was unfailingly realistic and practical but at the same time upbeat and cheerful.  Her mere presence lifted her friends' spirits.  She was full of entertaining stories about her childhood in the State of Washington, punctuated by jokes from a huge reservoir of folk humor.  Hers was a true talent for finding something amusing even in unsettling situations.  Her friends valued this and found it heartening.  While there she met her future husband Dick Askey at a mixer with Princeton University.  They were married on June 14, 1958.  After her children Jim and Suzanne were in school, she studied part time at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and received a master’s degree in urban and regional planning, then worked for the Madison Development Corporation.  She went on to receive another master’s degree from the School of Library and Information Studies and put her love of children’s literature to use working at Pooh Corner children’s bookstore.  Liz also volunteered for Head Start, served as president of the YWCA board for two years and on the boards of the Cooperative Children’s Book Center on Campus, League of Women Voters, and her church over many years.

Liz was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.  Liz and Dick’s love for each other during their 61-year marriage was an inspiration.  Liz was an avid reader and brought joy to her children and grandchildren by reading countless books to them.  She supported and encouraged her children’s and grandchildren’s education of all types, from academics to other classes like dance, photography, puppetry, ceramics, and swimming.  Liz loved being a grandmother and joked, “If I’d known grandchildren were this much fun, I would have had them first.”

Liz created many beautiful things with crocheting, knitting, needle point, latch hook, scrapbooking and card making.  She was generous with her talents, making afghans for everyone in the family. Exercise was important to Liz, she walked often, took classes, and did Tai Chi.  Liz and Dick traveled all over the world, including a wonderful year in the Netherlands with the family.  Liz wrote insightful and funny travel journals of her trips. Together, Liz and Dick supported the Arts, literacy programs, education, and a homeless program for women and children at the YWCA.

We want to thank her Senior Helpers Tanya, Nancy, Michelle, Sabrina, Sherry, Doreen, Isatou, Sonia, Sarah and Jessica who gave her loving care, and the many people past and present at Brookdale who helped her feel at home, including Sarah, Autumn, Stephanie, Amy, Alice, Noreen, Therese, Mariama, Laura, Shanekqa, Mondupe, Israel, Neeyea, and Chieko.  Thank you to Heartland Hospice for keeping Liz comfortable.

Throughout her life everyone who got to know Liz loved her.  She remained sweet, even through her Alzheimer’s journey.  Her last days were peaceful, surrounded by loving family.  We are so grateful to have had her in our lives.

Liz is survived by her daughter, Suzanne Elizabeth Askey (David Foss), son, James Richard Zurlo (Kathryn Zurlo), grandchildren Ben Hinkel (Lindsey Hinkel), Sarah Askey-Foss (Ben Arm), Rebecca Zurlo (Brian Evans), great granddaughter Aisa Hinkel, and sister Martha Hill.  Liz was preceded in death by her parents, brother Ramsey Hill, and her beloved husband, Dick Askey.

A service will be held when it’s Covid-19 safe.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her memory to YWCA Madison, American Players Theatre or Madison Reading Project:

https://www.ywcamadison.org/get-involved/donate or

https://americanplayers.org/support/donate-now/operations

https://www.madisonreadingproject.com/donate