The past few years had been a blur for artist and businesswoman Elizabeth Wilson of Avoca, recently of Niagara Falls.
She had traveled to Ireland, Florida, Texas and Martha's Vineyard with her family, and her company in Niagara Falls, E-Logo Enterprises, was flourishing.
It was all taken away Monday when police said she was killed by her on-and-off again boyfriend Peter Daniels, who then shot himself.
As family and friends are preparing for funeral services, they are making this a time to remember a wonderful person who touched many during her life.
"What touched my heart, she was a really devoted Christian person. The last thing on her Facebook was sharing an event in Buffalo on Good Friday," said her cousin, Joe Wilson. "That is the person she is. She wanted anyone of any denomination or nationality to show up and worship. That is the type of person she was, she wanted people to unite."
Born just 16 days apart, Joe and "Liz" were best of friends and cousins, both 2000 graduates of Avoca Central School. She went on to graduate from Houghton College in 2004.
The memories made before that are indelible. A large family, the Wilsons would get together and pile in vehicles and go to church group together. After, there was fun playing on the farm, basketball games in the barn and a refreshing Coca-Cola out of a glass bottle.
"She was into art, graphic design, Irish music and her heritage, we all remember how nice and positive she was," said Joe Wilson. "She was someone you could confide in. Such a thoughtful and good person, it's awful that a person could think they could take her life like that."
Elizabeth's father, Phil, still can't believe the turn of events.
"I loved her ... I could never believe something like this could happen," he said. "In the last year she was coming back home more often and my wife was making more trips there. They did so much traveling together."
Candi Jo Swift was part of the extended family. Phil and Deb Wilson would take her in and Candi's parents did the same. If you grow up in Avoca and run out of things to do in the summer, which is usually around July, you head to Wallace. That's where Candi and Liz would go under the overpass and hold "muddying parties" and return home covered from head to toe. The parents would be waiting with a hose and a hot meal which turned into a night of fellowship and family fun. The next night it was coffee at the truck stop in Kanona.
"She had a faith in God that was unshakeable," said Swift. "She was going through a rough time but she stayed strong and was in the middle of making some tough choices that would change her life and she was ready to go with no fear.
"She was an absolute sweetheart. I was having a rough time in my life and home for the weekend once and she drove down from Buffalo to Avoca to make sure I was ok," she continued. "She was fearless. What happened to her ... I hope she was never afraid."
Swift added, "I was in the Navy six years and we managed to keep our friendship going. She always talked about her love of her family and her nieces and nephews she loved with all her heart. I can't imagine what they are going through."
Visiting hours are on Friday from 7-9 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Buena Vista Wesleyan Church in Canisteo. Funeral services will follow calling hours on Saturday at the church. Friends and family are trying to put together a scholarship fund as well.
Tributes are coming in on Facebook for Liz as well.
Jeffrey Larson posted, "College was a difficult time in my life, not knowing what I was supposed to do with my myself, whether I even belonged at college, let alone Houghton College at all, were questions that I struggled with. I look back at my experiences, and many good friends I made there, I'm so glad that God enabled me to be there when you (and many others) were there. It was a blessing to know you, and I'll always treasure the good laughs and the good times. Thank you Liz, you will be sorely missed"
Meghan Whitmer Cansdale posted, "Lizabeth, I hope you knew how much you meant to me, everything you and your family did for me will always hold a special place in my heart. You had such a big heart and a beautiful soul. I cherish the memories, spending summers living in the trailer, mission trips, shopping trips to the thrift store where we got some of the best retro outfits, mall trips scaring people with fake hands, your smile, your craziness, just everything. I love you and just know while we didn't keep in touch as much as we should you have impacted my life more than you know, and I will never forget that."
And Todd Schollmann added, "I keep thinking about the years we spent playing volleyball together, your 100-watt smile, and your vivaciousness. I wish there were adequate words, but there just aren't. Praying for peace for your family and friends as they absorb, process, and mourn this loss."
The past few years had been a blur for artist and businesswoman Elizabeth Wilson of Avoca, recently of Niagara Falls.
She had traveled to Ireland, Florida, Texas and Martha's Vineyard with her family, and her company in Niagara Falls, E-Logo Enterprises, was flourishing.
It was all taken away Monday when police said she was killed by her on-and-off again boyfriend Peter Daniels, who then shot himself.
As family and friends are preparing for funeral services, they are making this a time to remember a wonderful person who touched many during her life.
"What touched my heart, she was a really devoted Christian person. The last thing on her Facebook was sharing an event in Buffalo on Good Friday," said her cousin, Joe Wilson. "That is the person she is. She wanted anyone of any denomination or nationality to show up and worship. That is the type of person she was, she wanted people to unite."
Born just 16 days apart, Joe and "Liz" were best of friends and cousins, both 2000 graduates of Avoca Central School. She went on to graduate from Houghton College in 2004.
The memories made before that are indelible. A large family, the Wilsons would get together and pile in vehicles and go to church group together. After, there was fun playing on the farm, basketball games in the barn and a refreshing Coca-Cola out of a glass bottle.
"She was into art, graphic design, Irish music and her heritage, we all remember how nice and positive she was," said Joe Wilson. "She was someone you could confide in. Such a thoughtful and good person, it's awful that a person could think they could take her life like that."
Elizabeth's father, Phil, still can't believe the turn of events.
"I loved her ... I could never believe something like this could happen," he said. "In the last year she was coming back home more often and my wife was making more trips there. They did so much traveling together."
Candi Jo Swift was part of the extended family. Phil and Deb Wilson would take her in and Candi's parents did the same. If you grow up in Avoca and run out of things to do in the summer, which is usually around July, you head to Wallace. That's where Candi and Liz would go under the overpass and hold "muddying parties" and return home covered from head to toe. The parents would be waiting with a hose and a hot meal which turned into a night of fellowship and family fun. The next night it was coffee at the truck stop in Kanona.
"She had a faith in God that was unshakeable," said Swift. "She was going through a rough time but she stayed strong and was in the middle of making some tough choices that would change her life and she was ready to go with no fear.
"She was an absolute sweetheart. I was having a rough time in my life and home for the weekend once and she drove down from Buffalo to Avoca to make sure I was ok," she continued. "She was fearless. What happened to her ... I hope she was never afraid."
Swift added, "I was in the Navy six years and we managed to keep our friendship going. She always talked about her love of her family and her nieces and nephews she loved with all her heart. I can't imagine what they are going through."
Visiting hours are on Friday from 7-9 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Buena Vista Wesleyan Church in Canisteo. Funeral services will follow calling hours on Saturday at the church. Friends and family are trying to put together a scholarship fund as well.
Tributes are coming in on Facebook for Liz as well.
Jeffrey Larson posted, "College was a difficult time in my life, not knowing what I was supposed to do with my myself, whether I even belonged at college, let alone Houghton College at all, were questions that I struggled with. I look back at my experiences, and many good friends I made there, I'm so glad that God enabled me to be there when you (and many others) were there. It was a blessing to know you, and I'll always treasure the good laughs and the good times. Thank you Liz, you will be sorely missed"
Meghan Whitmer Cansdale posted, "Lizabeth, I hope you knew how much you meant to me, everything you and your family did for me will always hold a special place in my heart. You had such a big heart and a beautiful soul. I cherish the memories, spending summers living in the trailer, mission trips, shopping trips to the thrift store where we got some of the best retro outfits, mall trips scaring people with fake hands, your smile, your craziness, just everything. I love you and just know while we didn't keep in touch as much as we should you have impacted my life more than you know, and I will never forget that."
And Todd Schollmann added, "I keep thinking about the years we spent playing volleyball together, your 100-watt smile, and your vivaciousness. I wish there were adequate words, but there just aren't. Praying for peace for your family and friends as they absorb, process, and mourn this loss."
