Elizabeth Rychlinski

Elizabeth Rychlinski was a beautiful young woman who knew how to enjoy life’s blessings, but who could also complain about life’s misfortunes. She loved many things, but people, especially her family were her greatest treasure.

On February 4th, 1988 Curt Rychlinski and his wife Teresa won the lottery for the second time when their daughter Elizabeth, who was born a few months earlier on November 6th, was lovingly placed in their arms. For Curt and Teresa, the day that they adopted Elizabeth was her true homecoming: it was the day that their family became complete.

Elizabeth grew up in Portage with the company of her sister Catherine, who was nearly five years older. When Elizabeth was a baby she loved to be held while to listening to her mother sing lullabies which always soothed her. She enjoyed music. She spent countless hours in her Johnny Jumper, bouncing along to songs by Fleetwood Mac, Blondie and other favorites. Elizabeth was always a happy vivacious child, very eager, very persistent, and constantly in motion. Like all little siblings, Elizabeth knew how to pester her older sister, but with affection and persistence she often got her own way.

Elizabeth attended Shamrock, Montessori and Kazoo Schools. She was an inquisitive student who liked to ask questions. Even at a young age she was very articulate. Following elementary school she attended Portage Central Middle School where she played volleyball and ran track. At Portage Central High School Elizabeth participated in cheerleading and competitive cheer. These sports came to her naturally: she was physically strong with a background in athletics, including gymnastics. Elizabeth was a very romantic person who was fiercely loyal to her friends, but who didn’t bother with people she didn’t like. As a teen, Elizabeth transformed from a little girl into a beautiful young woman with flowing black hair, soulful eyes, and a passion for life.

Throughout her childhood Elizabeth was easily frightened. As her parents recall, “We took her to Disney World and she was too scared for anything except ‘It’s a Small World’!” Elizabeth had outgrown these fears by her teenage years. In fact, scary movies had become her favorite genre. She continued to love Disney movies, and her special song was “Baby Mine” from Dumbo. She also enjoyed Napoleon Dynamite and Elf, two movies guaranteed to make her laugh.

Elizabeth enjoyed caring for her dogs Pooka and Callaghan and was delighted when Catherine brought her cats, Rex and Charlie into the home.

When Elizabeth was sixteen years old, she was diagnosed with lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease. Although there was no cure for Elizabeth’s condition, there were many treatments. During the next three years Elizabeth met many doctors, visited many hospitals, and underwent many procedures. Throughout her battle with lupus, she remained the person she’d always been: a happy girl, compassionate to the core, with a heart of gold. She was determined to lead a teenager’s life: she got her driver’s license, stayed active with her friends, and graduated from Portage Northern in 2006. Following graduation, she enrolled at Western Michigan University where she lived in the dorms.

Elizabeth had many goals for the future. After spending a lot of time in the hospital, she recognized the comfort provided of a good nurse, and hoped for a career in nursing. She was a true caretaker, the sort of person who thinks of others first. Elizabeth dreamed of becoming a mother. Family was very important to Elizabeth, and she looked forward to the day when she could raise her own. Throughout her illness she kept in contact with her cousins, aunts, uncles, and her grandparents. They were a source of support and comfort. Though Elizabeth may not have known it, she was a source of support and comfort for them too.

Elizabeth was a beloved daughter, sister, grandchild, niece, and friend. Her kindness and compassion earned her a place in the hearts of many. Among the many people who loved her, she will be greatly missed and frequently remembered.

Elizabeth died at her home, with her family at her bedside, on Wednesday, August 29, 2007. Learn more about Elizabeth, view her Life Story film, and visit with her family and friends Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, RDMG ,Portage, 5975 Lovers Lane. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the same location. Members of Elizabeth’s family include her parents: Curt and Teresa, a sister Catherine , her Aunts and Uncles: Denny and Tamera Rychlinski, Mark and Sharon Rychlinski, Darcy and Taleb Salman, Joe and Janice Elias, John and Dora Elias, Salvador Elias, Berta and Patrick Henderson, Sylvia Miranda, Irene and Suchart Chaipong, grandparents: Ray and Janis Rychlinski and Francisco Elias and several relatives and friends. Please visit Elizabeth’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a favorite memory or photo, sign her memory book online before coming to the funeral home, or make a memorial donation to the Make a Wish Foundation, Hospice Care of SW Michigan or the Lupus Foundation.