Elizabeth J. Arnovits

Elizabeth Jule Arnovits died August 3rd, 2011 at Hospice of Lansing. Our beloved Beth departed us much too soon after a long battle with cancer that typified the courage and determination she displayed throughout her life. She was born April 12th,1950 in Detroit, Michigan and graduated from Michigan State University with a B.A. in Criminal Justice. For 36 years she provided dynamic and creative leadership to the Michigan Council on Crime and Delinquency by lending her intelligence and strength to help the criminal justice system reach its ideals by effectively providing for the public safety in the fairest and most humane manner. In 2011 she was nominated for Greater Lansing Woman of the Year for her contributions to her field. Her friends, family and the young women she mentored have born witness to her generosity of spirit that blessed them, her beloved animals and any cause fortunate enough for her to give her heart to. Her sense of adventure led her to see places and things few of us will ever experience from polar bears near Hudson Bay to penguins in Antarctica to silver-backed gorillas in Africa and Darwin’s whole menagerie in the Galapagos Islands of the Pacific. She shared these with us in her wildlife photography that matched the best of National Geographic. She, along with her late husband were ardent patrons of the Potter Park Zoo. Each of us who knew Beth best can recount some critical moment or span in our lives when we needed her very badly and she responded with the full measure of her wisdom and warm strength. We feel blessed to have known her and only regret we had insufficient time to repay the debt. Beth was preceded in death by her beloved husband William Szafarczyk and is survived by her sister Mona Davis, niece Elizabeth Davis-Pennington, nephew Robert Davis Jr.,brother-law (Robert Davis) as well as her grand nephews and nieces: Colin, Davis, Elliot and Neve to whom she was the very generous and loving“Gramma Aunt Beth” and very special friend Susan Herman to whom the family wishes to express gratitude for her invaluable help and for loving our Beth so very deeply . A memorial will be held at the Grand Ledge Opera House at 121 South Bridge Street, Grand ledge, Michigan on Monday, August 8th at 4:00pm. Beth had requested any donations in her name be made to the Elizabeth Arnovits Juvenile Justice Fund at MCCD, 1000 West St. Joseph, Suite 400, Lansing, Michigan 48915. Arrangements by the Holihan-Atkin Funeral Home, Grand Ledge. Online guest book entries may be made at www.holihanatkin.com.

Elizabeth J. Arnovits

April 12, 1950 - August 3, 2011