Howard, Elizabeth (Howe)

Elizabeth "Lee" Howard died on December 14, 2021 in Chester, CT. She was 90 years old. Born on June 16, 1931 to Archibald Murray Howe and Margaret Allen Howe in North Andover, MA, Lee and her siblings Archie and Peggy grew up on Osgood Street, the former home of the first postmaster general of the US. A spirited young woman and excellent student, Lee graduated from Vassar College in 1952. Lee Married Philip Howard in 1954 and raised four sons in Cold Spring Harbor, NY: David (Valerie Francese) of Fayetteville, NC; Chris (BZ Bickford) of Mystic, CT; Daniel (deceased); and Mark (Cynthia Mathes) of Rye, NY. She has 6 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren: Melissa (Schwaner) and son JD, Alison Boore (Lewis) and children Giuliana, Renee and Landon; Jimmy (Rachel) Howard and son Raynor; Grant, Charlie and Brady Howard. Working with local, state and national arts

councils, Lee was a life-long leader in making access to the arts available to all. From Executive Director of the Huntington Arts Council, she went on to create the Alliance of the NY State Arts Councils and work with the National Assembly of Local Arts Agencies. She later worked with the LA Music Center, the California Insititute for the Arts and Lyme (CT) Academy of Fine Arts. In recognition of her 50 years promoting the arts from Chester to China, Lee was granted an award for "Lifetime Achievement in Arts Leadership." She was an active parishioner of St. Ann's Episcopal Church in Old Lyme, serving on the Vestry (was Warden). She was a resident of Chester Village West in Chester, CT and served on committees there. Lee cherished time spent in a family summer house on the island of Vinalhaven, Maine. She enjoyed sailing, picnics, reading and spending time with family. A memorial service will be held at St. Ann's Church in Old Lyme on Thursday, June 16th at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Ann's Church can be made in Lee's name.

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