Elizabeth Call Jones
August 23, 1944 - August 29, 2018
Elizabeth “Liz” Call Jones died peacefully at the age of 74 in San Jose, California on Wednesday, August 29, 2018. She was born and raised in Niagara Falls, New York to Eleanor Sappington Call and Leroy John Call, Jr. She graduated from La Salle Senior High School and the University of Rochester, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature. Liz and her first husband moved from Connecticut to California in 1974, settling in West San Jose with their two daughters, Anne and Rebecca. Liz married James Holm in 1988. She earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Santa Clara University in 1987 and enjoyed a 30 year accounting career in the high tech industry.
A 25-year-survivor of an aggressive form of breast cancer, Liz was an advocate and consistent fundraiser for Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (BCPP, formerly the Breast Cancer Fund). For nineteen years, she participated in the organization’s annual Peak Hike as the leader of the hiking team formed in her honor, Lizzie’s Legions. In 2003, she and her daughter Anne participated in BCPP’s Mt. Shasta Climb Against the Odds. Liz personally raised over $90,000 for the organization.
Raised in the Episcopal Church in Niagara Falls and hailing from a long line of Episcopalians, she found her church home at St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Cupertino, becoming a member in 1988. For the past 30 years, she has been an active and dedicated parishioner. Liz was pleased to use her gift with numbers serving as the church’s Treasurer for over 15 years. Committed to doing what is right and just, Liz was passionate about and highly involved in the social justice and humanitarian efforts of the church, particularly those in Haiti.
Beyond her volunteer work with BCPP and St. Jude’s, Liz felt most connected to God through nature. She loved being in vast, open spaces; hiking and walking regularly with friends. She and her husband Jim shared their love of nature; backpacking in the Sierra Nevadas when their children were young, exploring national parks, and most recently traveling by train through the Canadian Rockies.
Liz was thrilled to welcome six grandchildren into her life in a span of less than two years. From attending her grandchildren’s sporting events, volunteering in their classrooms, and traveling to Portland for weeklong trips to support her daughter’s family, Liz was proud of her children and grandchildren and enjoyed being an active part of their lives.
Liz was known for her strength, goodness, kindness, loyalty, wisdom, and compassion. She had an unexpected wit and was a wonderful listener. In her final years, Liz was determined to “live her way out,” to participate fully in her precious life. She did so with remarkable independence and grace. We are forever grateful for the team of loving individuals who walked this profound physical, emotional and spiritual journey with her. Liz’s indelible spirit will remain with us always.
Liz is survived by her husband, Jim Holm; her brother Roy Call (Barb Cross) of Bratenahl, Ohio; her daughters Anne Jones Kepner (Tom) of Santa Clara and Rebecca Jones Mahlum (Eric) of Portland, Oregon; six loving grandchildren, Emmy, James and John Kepner, and Mitchell, Elise and Claire Mahlum; three stepchildren, Kim Baxter (Eric), Richard Holm (Julie), Steve Holm (Jennifer), seven step-grandchildren, and three sisters-in-law.
A memorial service will be held at St. Jude’s Episcopal Church on Saturday, September 29 at 3 p.m. Lizzie’s Legions will participate for the 21st year in BCPP’s Peak Hike on Sunday, October 14. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Liz’s memory to St. Jude’s Episcopal Church or Breast Cancer Prevention Partners.