Obituary of Elizabeth A Tyler

Elizabeth Anne (Millang) Tyler passed away June 11, 2013 at Dominican Hospital with family at her side, after a brief illness. She was 90 years old. Elizabeth was a native of Capitola, born on April 4, 1923 to Francis Xavier and Elizabeth Esther Millang. Her parents and grandparents settled in Capitola in the early 1920s. She delighted in regaling people she met with tales of Capitola when it was a virtual paradise of open spaces and glorious beaches. She recalled with special fondness body surfing with her father near the breakers on Capitola Beach, and shared stories about the "summer people" she met during her childhood. Elizabeth attended Soquel Elementary and graduated from Santa Cruz High in 1942. She soon married one of those "summer people", Richard E. Smith. Their first child, Elizabeth Suzanne was born while Richard was away in the Navy, and they lived in the family home in Capitola until his return. After their second child, Jorganne was born they resided in Santa Clara, CA where Richard attended the University. They then moved to Tacoma, WA, to be near Richard's family, where her next two children, Richard and Mary Ellen were born. Homesick, Elizabeth returned to her roots along with her four children in 1956. Elizabeth later married Mel Tyler, and at age 37 her fifth child, David was born. Elizabeth loved playing Bingo, and gambling trips to Reno. She never missed a storm or the chance to watch storm waves break over the sea wall in Capitola. Elizabeth saw many changes happen in her tiny town over her full lifetime, including the building of new hospitals and her home parish, Saint Joseph's Church. She never failed to be amazed at the changes time had wrought, and reported with pride that, as a Certified Nurse's Assistant, she was assigned the first new patient at the new Dominican Hospital on Soquel Drive. Elizabeth excelled with her kindness and care of the elderly at convalescent homes during her career. Above all else, Elizabeth's joys were found in her connections with her family, and her heart was big enough to accommodate all the "in-laws, out-laws, and step families" that came her way. As Elizabeth became Grandmother, then Great Grandmother, life took on a whole new meaning. She never forgot a birthday, and loved being called "GT" (Grandma Tyler). She is survived by her children; Elizabeth Gladfelder (Owen) of Lake Tapps, WA, Jorganne Skinner (Jim) of Las Vegas, NV, Rick Smith of Las Vegas, NV, Mary Mello (David) of Scotts Valley, and David Tyler (Elizabeth) of Watsonville. She leaves behind a total of 14 grandchildren: Chris Wicklund, Rick Martinez and Deneise Lacy, Jason, Jeremy, and Jeffrey Blackmun, Jon, Tim and Allison Smith, Chris and Katie Tyler, Jeff and Eric Mello and Laura Hardy and 10 great grandchildren. Also surviving Elizabeth is her sister-in-law, Lorraine Millang, along with beloved nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Mel, and her brothers David and Frank. Elizabeth loved her life, adventures and misadventures alike, and above all loved her family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St Joseph's Catholic Church, 435 Monterey Ave, Capitola, CA, Friday June 21, 2013 at 11:00 am. Visiting Hours will be at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, 1050 Cayuga St, Santa Cruz Thursday June 20, 2013 from 5 pm to 7pm. Interment will be in Mount Carmel Cemetery, 7600 Soquel Dr, Aptos, CA. The family wishes to thank all the social workers, care givers and friends that helped to facilitate Elizabeth being able to live independently at her home, until her passing.