Elizabeth's mother was a progressive and independent woman. She
promoted Elizabeth's self-reliance while remaining warm and emotionally
nurturing. Because of the children and the times, she chose to stay on the farm
and to tolerate reluctantly her husband's harshness and emotional withdrawal.
“My mother was like an angel,” Elizabeth went on. “Always there, always
caring, always sacrificing for the sake of her children.” Elizabeth, the baby, was
her mother's favorite. She had many fond memories of childhood. The fondest
of all were times of closeness to her mother, of the special love that bonded
them together and that maintained itself over time.