Remembering Elizabeth

I am planning a memorial concert to benefit one or more of the million project Liz was invested in. If you would like to help/participate, please email me at lkalan@conncoll.edu.

Elizabeth was an amazing member of the Connecticut College family. She was an incredible and committed leader when organizing the trip to Uganda for the Connectciut College students. She was a valued member of our community and will be missed greatly. Thank You Elizabeth for shining your light into many different lives. Your awesome work will never be forgotten. Love you Elizabeth may you Rest in Peace.

The work Liz has done for the both the local and global community is a benchmark of true altruism. Her memory will inspire magnanimity in all of us.

My heart goes out to Elizabeth's parents in this terrible time. Susan Halper,mother of Katie Ida Halper

My daughter Amanda is a freshman at Conn, she did not know Elizabeth but the story of her death has made a big impact on her and our family, our thoughts and prayers are with all her family and friends and the injured students and the Conn.Community

This is so sad, I still can't believe it. Liz, you were a great person and you definitely will be missed! Rest In Peace.

Although I didn't know Elizabeth I am deeply saddend for her loss and my condolances go out to her friends and family.

Even though I never knew Elizabeth, she sounded like a wonderful person who deeply cared about the community and the world around her. Her family and friends will forever cherish her caring personality by doing good deeds throughout the community and world.

there are so many memories, of course.

But there was the time, Freshman year- Liz always hated getting dressed up, she was happiest in jeans and a t-shirt, and Melissa and I held her down, physically and put makeup on her and did her hair for winter formal. And she was so mad, she wouldn't let me take a picture of her all night.

Liz was beyond amazing, and I still can't believe she's gone. She was giving, caring, intelligent, beautiful, and had a great sarcastic sense of humor that I always appreciated--but she was more than anyone can put down in words. I've been remembering the way her voice sounded, her quick, loud laughter. I love that laugh. When Liz laughed you could tell it came from her heart.

I had dinner with Elizabeth and Stefanie about a month ago, they told me about their plan to go to Africa.

Elizabeth was so excited to help other people, both in Africa and in the United States as an EMT.

The Connecticut College community has suffered a great loss; Elizabeth's compassion and intellectual curiosity will be missed tremendously.

My thoughts are with the Durante family and Elizabeth's friends.

liz wAs THe BeST. sHe SaiD we were 0ne 0f the BeST kIdS SHe KNeW

love jAy

I am unbelievably saddened that this untimely accident had such a terrible impact on so many lives. I never knew Elizabeth, but it sounds like she accomplished SO much in her unbearably short life. I will always look up to her for the generous gifts she gave to the world and for the proactive life that she led. I hope that her memory is utterly cherished by many. All my love to Elizabeth's family and friends and to the Connecticut College community.

Liz made an impact on the Conn campus even before she enrolled and continued to strengthen her place in the community. I hope we all learn from her and continue to work towards change and equity.The world is a better place because of Liz.

I meet Elizabeth during my freshman year when we were living in Blackstone. Although I don't know her that well, I know she is a wonderful person. She was a very passionate person who wanted to change the world for the better. We will surely miss her very much!

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Durante family during this very sad and difficult time. May you find comfort and strength in the knowledge that Elizabeth has touched and made a difference in so many lives.

Liz touched so many lives, young and old, in her short life here.
She volunteered not only in Africa, but with homeless children in the local New London community. And they loved her and she made them feel special and talented and loved. Thank you Liz for all you did in this world to make it better.

I met Liz once last year and from the brief time i spoke with her i could tell what a hard working and caring person she was. Its shocking to think, even though i didnt really know her, that she wont be with us on campus anymore, but hopefully she's in a better place and i know she will never be forgotten. My thoughts go out to her friends and family

I remember one time she called me over break, bursting with the story of how she spent her new year's on call with some guy making sure he didn’t have a heart attack, as his family watched the ball drop in the next room over. I couldn't fit a single word in, for minutes.

I've been looking forward to when Liz became a doctor ever since; she was so intense and incredulous; I was depending on her to have more of those stories, for a long time. It’s wonderful that she accomplished so much, but heartbreaking to think of how much more she was going to do.

I wait for my daughter to arrive home and anguish for the Durante family. Liz has touched many and made the world a bit better in her too short life. I send my deepest sympathies to her family and to the Conn college family. We lost another young friend a few years ago and his family and friends began donating to a fund for an orphanage in Haiti where he volunteered. His mother told me today that they have just completed the building of a new facility where the children will be able to have animals and to grow their own vegetables. Perhaps we could do something similar in Elizabeth's memory? Pat Kehoe Pendell

Words cannot describe how deeply Elizabeth will be missed by this world that admired and loved her so much. I met her during our CSR meetings together and how passionately she spoke of her Uganda trip and how she was looking forward to going. I loved and share her passion for helping others and glad I had the pleasure to see that passion in her eyes and have met such an amazing human being. I aspire to one day like Elizabeth to change the world like she said "one day at a time" and now I will carry her with me every time I am doing something to help someone else. The Connecticut College campus will not be the same without her, but she will never be forgotten. My prayers go out to everyone affected by this loss.

I just remembered the time, Freshman year, when one of the a capella groups was selling singing valentines, and I said how embarrased I would be to get one of those, so she bought me eight! We waited all night with all of her friends for my "personal concert", and while they were singing, she stood on her desk chair and "conducted", trying to make them laugh and forget the words.

Liz was a student in my chemistry class. She wasn't the best chemistry student, but she certainly had the most heart and compassion. I admired her community outreach then, and I now realize that I didn't even know a fraction of what she was doing. My sympathies to Liz's parents, her Blackstone compatriots and her friends from the chemistry class (John, Jenn and many others). The campus will be missing a shining light. Perhaps we can replace just a little of Liz's goodness on this campus by doing a few additional good deeds every week.

I met Liz last spring when we shared a lab bench in our Organisms class. Although she was partners with her friend Stef, the four of us at the lab bench shared the same materials and helped each other with our work. I remember that Liz was always very passionate about what we were doing, especially when we looked at various things under microscopes. However, she always said that she preferred the medical aspect of biology, and I remember asking her about her trip to Uganda when she and Stef got back from spring break and being awed by how they had risked their own health and given up their vacation to help others. I remember them speaking of how badly they wished to return.

I wish I could have gotten to know Liz better, but I'm glad I got to spend some time with her, even it was minimal. It is so shocking to me that she's gone and the loss is staggering. I know, though, that she was too important to the Conn College community to ever be forgotten. We will keep her memory alive.

As Stefanie Hinman's grandpaents, we know how much energy Liz and Stefanie have put into making the world a better and safer place. Liz will be sorely missed not by jut those of us who knew her and the college community, but all those underprivileged people she would have helped in the future.

I traveled to South Africa with Liz when we were freshmen. She had a love for every single person in the world that was so huge-- she couldn’t just stick to her own bubble. Between volunteering at the homeless shelter and continuing missions to Africa, Liz was doing work that I think most people are too afraid to do or that we tell ourselves we don’t have time for. She had the courage to truly care about everyone, no matter who they were. I know I have a lot to learn from her.
We miss you, Liz!

I will never forget Liz's laugh. I will surely miss her laugh echoing down the hall and making me smile. Even though I knew her for a short while in the whole grand scheme of things, I will never forget her, as she touched my life and many other peoples' lives.

My most vivid memories of Liz are at occasional dinners, when one moment she'd say something so witty and sarcastic that the whole table couldn't control their laughing, and the next she'd be talking about how fascinating it was to work with homeless kids at covenant. Liz was an amazing person, not just for the things she did for this world and the people she helped, but for herself - her personality, her humor, her jokes, her friendship. She cared about you, even if you only knew her a bit. And her laugh. I'm gonna miss that laugh, just echoing down the second-floor hall in Blackstone. Liz, you did wonderful things for all of us. Thank you.

Since sophomore year I admired Liz for all of the amazing work she was accomplishing. She was a role model and I feel honored to have been able to spend even a short time surrounded by her enthusiasm and passion while volunteering. I know that in her 20 short years she has left a resounding impact that most will strive their entire lives trying to leave. Liz, you will truly be missed.

Liz Durante. Where do I begin? As I thought about your trip to Uganda, I remembered when you and Stef were mere freshmen..err freshwomen? LoL. And you were really in awe of the upperclassmen. Even though I was one year ahead of you, you sure had me beat. (I won't forget when we were running for OVCS rep, and you read off your list of qualifications i.e. your other acts of kindness and service. I stood no chance!) You epitomized service and care for others.)

I remember on my way to my own Spring Break Mission I was thinking of you and Stef and thought to myself, "Wow, Look at those 2 leading a trip to Uganda--another continent! I'm so impressed." And I was a bit jealous too. Envious of the compassion and drive you displayed, the excitement you shared as you rallied up fellow students and staff to support your vision, and your willingness and passion to serve others.

To me, this doesn't even make sense. Even though I kind of lost touch with you ladies since I moved out of Blackstone, you have always been my favorite neighbors. (Still had my "love note from 313" on my poster board up until last semester!) Your life, service, and work, have been cut short too soon, but I think that your light will shine on forever. There is work to be done, and we who are present, in this world must do it!

Love you Liz Durante. Your dorkiness and your laughter, but most of all YOU will be missed terribly.
I hope that God comforts and consoles your family and friends, especially Stef *Hugs* during this time.
Peace.

Our hearts go out to Liz's family,friends,and the college community. Our daughter Rachel, class of 2010, who is now studying in Botswana, is finally coming to grips with the horrific loss of her friend. May Liz's memory be a blessing.

Liz, it's going to be so weird not having you at our house every vacation, without your laugh and your blunt honesty about everything. You were my sister's best friend and practically part of our family. I'm going to miss when you and I got into poking fights that Stefi would always break up, calling us children. I'm so glad that Stefi was your friend and that I had a chance to know you. Thank you for everything you did, your work will always inspire me.

Liz was one of my first students here at Conn. I was impressed with all her activities towards improving the quality of life - for so many people. I am saddened by her loss and am inspired by her examples of outreach and activism. My deep condolences to her family and friends. I hope you all can feel some solace that her work continues by way of her inspiration.

As a parent of a HS Senior on her way to Conn in Sept and a Long Island neighbor of Liz and her family I want to express my families deepest sympathies for this great loss to Conn and to the world. Liz was obviously and amazing person and she will be deeply missed.

I never met Liz, but as my daughter is a close friend of Liz', I can attest to the tremendous sorrow and heartbreak my daughter is suffering having lost someone she loved, treasured and admired so immensely.
I am in mourning as well.
I hope the angels are taking good care of you, dear Liz. You are a very special soul.

I will never forget how excited Liz got when a shipment of anti-fungal cream for the trip to Uganda arrived a few weeks ago while we were sitting in a dessert & dialogue. Her passion for helping others was palpable and the energy she brought to everyone she was around will be missed.

Our prayers and sympathies go out to Liz's family and to all of those injured in the crash. MADD CT also wishes to extend our support and help those involved in the crash or to anyone who was friends with Liz. Please feel free to contact me anytime if help is needed. jennifer.mullen@madd.org

Liz was an important part of our campus who is dearly missed by many. She embodied a spirit of kindness and idealism that will continue on in many of her classmates.

Liz was, and continues to be, an inspiration. As a fellow pre-med student involved in volunteer work, I was consistently amazed at what Liz was able to accomplish during her time at Conn. In addition to succeeding in class, she found time to care for those around her. Liz did not shy away from difficult circumstances or uncomfortable situations, rather, she faced them head on with compassion. Liz and I had the opportunity to work together on several fundraising and outreach projects and each experience I had with her left me feeling like I could do just a little bit more to make this world a better place. Thank you for inspiring and challenging me Liz.

Liz, it is difficult to believe that I will never hear your voice a gain… I keep expecting you to call me with a question about the trip to Uganda. Know that you have touched not only my life but the lives of the children at the orphanage, we all miss you tremendously. I will miss talking to you, know that your legacy will live on, the clinic you were planning on building will be dedicated you… your vision will live on and you will continue to change lives. AWF Children love and miss you … you will also always be in our hearts.

Liz lived with such sincerity that even though the hours I spent with her may not add up to much, she left a profound mark on me. When we talked, I felt the deep calm of being in the presence of someone with whom I shared true understanding. Because of those moments I hold her in my heart. I am stunned that world lost such a person who lived with so much heart.

The memory I have of Liz which keeps coming to mind is her laugh. We were at a formal event together, listening to a speaker. Liz laughed so readily, so happily, so honestly. Her laughter rang out through the room and her joy was infectious. I remember marveling at the kind of spirit who could laugh that gleeful kind of laugh.