Elizabeth painting in art class at Montrose School.
Elizabeth Schickel was born on May 2, 1998, the fifth child of Abe & Kathy Schickel, in a family that would eventually grow to include seven children. In January 2013, Elizabeth was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma multiforme which was treated for a year with surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. She passed away on February 12, 2014, at the age of 15, after a year filled with moments of love, joy and pure fun.
Elizabeth was a natural and relentless athlete, loved by her teammates and coaches and respected by her opponents for her speed, skill, and sportsmanship. She was an artist, a writer, and a voracious reader. She loved singing with her sisters, running, swimming, canoeing, bike riding, and was a summertime explorer. Elizabeth, known as Skinny by many, was a girl full of life, devoted to her Catholic faith, her family, and her beloved Montrose School.
“Elizabeth arrived at Montrose a delightful and somewhat shy eleven-year-old,” sixth grade teacher Heather McKinney observed. “And she emerged,” Head of School Dr. Karen Bohlin said, “a spitfire scholar-athlete, recognized by teammates, opponents and coaches across the league as tenacious, talented and determined. She always gave her best. And her open, welcoming manner made room for everyone. She had an uncanny appreciation for what matters most.” -- Excerpt from "Honoring Elizabeth Schickel '16," a tribute from the Montrose School Community
She is known in our family for the ease of her generosity. She would offer compliments so often and her love poured out so freely. She truly started a movement within our family of pure affection and simple goodness, often asking as I sat in my chair in the evening, "how about a little snuggle time?" or "just a little TLC?” before climbing onto my lap. And this was even at the age of fifteen. -- Abe Schickel, in his Eulogy for Elizabeth. Read the entire text here.
Elizabeth and her cousin, Sahe.
Taking a corner kick on the soccer field; Elizabeth was an avid athlete.