Country: United Kingdom
Lib to the Family, Liz to most of her friends.
She was a physical education teacher who excelled in most sports, and in music. She had many many friends and achieved much more than most in her 29 years.
She was keen on sports from junior school age with gymnastics and school sports successes. Welsh under 16 Trampoline Champion, Diving trophies, played Cricket for the county, Lacrosse for the Welsh Team, specific teacher qualifications in Skiing, Canoe & Sailing, Hockey, High-Board Diving, and other sports. She had learnt to play a violin, clarinet and guitar and was a competent choreographer.
She travelled widely over Europe and arranged two Bournemouth school visits to America (given Freedom of Boston), Landrover trip to North Africa; she also learned the basics of the various languages before she went.
She was at the end of a one year teacher exchange to Nae Nae College, Lower Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand when she and two other exchange teachers took the fateful tourist trip to the Antarctic.
Lib’s Charm Bracelet had various shields attached I assume purchased when she was at the locations; Ischgl (Austria where I went skiing with her), Venezia (and a Venetian gondola), castanets, Longleat, a Moroccan shoe, Mallorca, a camel, France, Stafford, Bournemouth, Isle of Wight x 2, Globe, Newport, Scottish thistle, Canterbury, Washington DC USA Capital, Newquay, Jersey, a Cathedral, Boulogne, Dartmouth, Roma, Sappada, Alps cow bell, Statue of Liberty. She had also purchased charms for New Zealand and Fiji.
Her books included rules for almost every school sport, diving, swimming, and sailing, and many language phrase books.
1995 – 2013+ I still play the second hand guitar I bought for her as a present about 1970.
She was my sister, but I wish I had known her better.
Elizabeth Edwards was my P.E. teacher at Naenae College, she was on a teacher exchange (from Ireland I think) and she's always been in my thoughts since the tragedy. As my P.E. teacher she was always very encouraging - she was petite like me and always made me feel that I was capable of anything, despite my lack of height! I remember the school assembly informing us all of the Erebus crash - some memories never leave you. I'm really happy to know that there will be a public memorial built in Parnell. I will definitely make a point of paying my respect to Elizabeth and all those who died at Erebus whenever I visit Auckland in the future. Elizabeth's life was fatefully cut short but her memory lives on for those who were lucky enough to have crossed paths with her inspirational and fearless spirit.
Michele Miller
I was a pupil at the school Miss Edward’s taught at in the UK (Bournemouth School for Girls). My sister and I both remember the morning assembly when we were told of her death (I was 12, my sister 16). Even though she only taught me for 1 year I remember her and the impression she made including the sense of adventure to go to the other side of the world. I woke up this morning thinking of her 41 years later! It was lovely to read the words of her sister above. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Louise Sheppard