Elizabeth Grant Caldwell

8.29.1922 12.23.2017

Elizabeth Caldwell died peacefully at Valle Verde, Quail Lodge in Santa Barbara California on December 23rd.

Elizabeth was born in Maldon Essex, England. In 1939 while teaching French and Latin in her younger brother Ian’s school, war with Germany was declared. She signed on to join the WRNS (“better uniform”), and she became a Driver, having only just learned to drive.

Elizabeth met her first husband George Masson de Fernig, a journalist and war correspondent while stationed in Brussels, at the end of the war.

For their “honeymoon”, George took Elizabeth in an open-sided jeep on an epic trip the length of Africa, from Morocco to the southern tip of the Congo, across the Sahara Desert and through the jungles of central Africa.

After separating from George, she went to work for the Elizabeth Arden Salon in Paris, in Brussels, and from there was sent to manage the Arden Salon in Boston. In 1957 she managed Arden’s health spa in Maine.

Miss Arden then asked her to manage the new Beverly Hills Salon.

She met her second husband, J. Emott Caldwell, who was visiting from Woodside, California.

While in Woodside, she was an active and beloved member of the Woodside/ Atherton Garden Club.

When her second marriage failed, she moved to Carmel and became involved in the antique business, which was her passion. This involved frequent buying trips to Europe, strengthening her ties to her many relatives there.

She eventually moved to Montecito, California where she successfully managed Albion Antiques, spending her final years with Country House Antiques.

Elizabeth is survived by her daughter Sarah Caldwell, (grandchildren Ben, Sam, & Annie). And step children: Hannah “Haydi” Sowerwine (David), Jim Caldwell (Philippa), Julie Tave (Alain), Anne Caldwell and Jonathan Caldwell (Chris), plus numerous step grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She was a beloved Aunt to Fiona Joint, and Philppa Burrough.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Jean, brother Ian.