Obituary: Sinclair, Elizabeth A.
Age 54
(Age 54) Elizabeth took her final walk on December 26th, 2014, at the beautiful sanctuary she created and called home, surrounded by her loving family.
Liz was diagnosed with cancer in July of 2014.
In recent years, Elizabeth and life partner, Steve Bruce, lived near Tum Tum, Washington.
Elizabeth was born in Hillsboro, Oregon April 5, 1960, the daughter of Maria and Peter “Michael” Bishop.
She graduated high school and attended North Idaho College in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho in the late 1970s.
Liz made her escape from Idaho when she was 18 and headed straight to Alaska which she would claim was her state - a place that always deeply held her heart.
After working for travel agencies her first years in Anchorage, she worked as a counter agent for Alaska Airlines from the early 80s until 1990.
In addition, Liz worked part time at Bell’s Nursery in Anchorage while completing the Master Gardener Program through the University of Alaska, and at A&D Kayak Store to supplement her passion for sea kayaking.
Liz also developed a love with the practice of Tai Chi Chuan, eventually being certified as a Tai Chi Instructor, Yang style, in Spokane, Washington.
While on a sea kayak trip to New Zealand in the late 1980s, Liz became acquainted with folks associated with the United States Antarctic Research Program.
As a result, she applied for and was offered a position in Cargo Support at the National Science Foundation’s South Pole Station in 1990.
It was during her time there, that she met Steve Bruce (her personal carpenter) beginning their journey together by sharing Thanksgiving Dinner beneath the geodesic dome at South Pole.
Liz moved from Alaska to Driggs, Idaho in 1991 to be with Steve.
Their daughter Natalie was born April 27, 1992 and they relocated to Spokane that same year.
They celebrated 24 magical years together this past November.
Elizabeth became an AMI Certified Montessori Teacher in 1996 and taught for a number of years at Woodland Montessori School in Spokane.
Between school seasons, Liz also worked as an office receptionist for Community Frameworks of Spokane from 2004-2006.
Over the past 12 years, Liz operated and refined her greatest creation (outside of her child), Steven Stars Naturalists Summer Camp for Children.
This was an outgrowth of the initial experience she and daughter Nat had in 2001 with Tom Brown Jr.’s Tracker School, which taught Outdoor Primitive Skills.
Her continuing education in this area included studies with Wilderness Awareness School in Duvall, Washington in the Art of Mentoring classes for young people, studies with Frank and Karen Sherwood’s Primitive Skills program in Issaquah, Washington “Earthwalk Northwest”, and the Natural Resources Program through Spokane Community College.
Liz beautifully wove together the Montessori Method of teaching with Outdoor Awareness and primitive skills including stewarding, caretaking, respecting and appreciating the natural world to combat NDD - Nature Deficit Disorder - in our young people, ages from 4-12.
With the loving support of former students and dear friends, it is intended that these teachings remain available and will continue on for the “Little People”, as Liz affectionately called her students.
In addition to Steve and Natalie, Liz is survived by her sister, Michaela Markusson of Seattle; mother, Marla and husband Gary Bohne of Post Falls, Idaho; father, Peter (Michael) and wife Donna Bishop of Malo, Washington; and a brother, Sean McNeil in Seattle.
Other surviving family members are Sam Sinclair, of Anchorage, Alaska - the truest of friends; Steve’s son and family, Sonny and Kim Bruce and granddaughters Raylee and Jentry of Leadore, Idaho; Steve’s daughter Shannon Bruce of Idaho Falls, Idaho and Steve’s parents, Marilyn and Clair Bruce, and Steve’s brothers Doug and Jim Bruce all of Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Liz is also survived by the countless souls who she pulled into her amazing orbit in the time she shared with us all.
An open celebration of Elizabeth’s incredible life journey, a life highlighted with laughter, passion, rawness, nurturing, a love of bare feet on the earth and above all else, service to others, will be observed on Sunday, May 31, 2015 (noonish).
This is an Irish Ceili (Kay-Lee) with live music by Floating Crowbar and a potluck, so bring a chair and dish of your choice; main course provided.
You will be invited to share your stories of Liz.
For directions, please call and leave a message at (509)263-2572.
Our family looks forward to sharing the day with you!