Elizabeth Rohn-Nelson

born May 31, 1931 passed away peacefully with her daughters by her side on March 31, 2012 in Peoria, AZ. Elizabeth was raised in St. Louis, MO and attended Avila College. Elizabeth is a former school teacher, excelled in public relations and sales and had her own television show, “Talk of the Town with Elizabeth” in Kerrville, TX. Becoming an active volunteer in Texas Republican politics, she was selected by President Ronald Reagan to be the director of region six for the Federal Task Force on the Homeless and operated a pilot program for the homeless under the Department of Health and Human Services. Elizabeth was successful in working with the Department of Defense and took their surplus food items, hospital beds, blankets and furniture and directed them to homeless shelters in TX and across the southwest area of the United States. Elizabeth showed local groups how to look to their own resources and to enlist greater help from communities to form partnerships using public and private sectors. Elizabeth then moved to Washington, DC where she served as Assistant Director for Non-Profit Associations to the Commission on the Bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution. She created and directed the program “Bells Across America” with Chief Justice Warren Burger and was an instrumental role in the U.S. Bicentennial celebrations. Elizabeth managed numerous GOP campaigns, was written up in the Congressional Record twice, and served on several federal and state task forces for seniors and the aging. She was the only Arizona delegate on the White House Conference on Aging, nominated by Congressman Trent Franks in 2005 and also representing AZ was a member of the State Pharmaceutical Commission for Medicare Part D. Most recently she was appointed by Governor Jan Brewer on the Governor’s Council for the Aging. Elizabeth has received more awards and citations than most. She will be remembered as spending a lifetime of helping the less fortunate, having a strong Catholic faith, and passionate about her politics. Elizabeth’s warm smile and charming personality always made people feel comfortable and as if they were long-time friends. Elizabeth is survived by her son Kenneth Rock and granddaughter Katrina Rock; a daughter, Robyn Frye and son-in-law Mike and granddaughter Jackie Frye; a daughter Gigi Dennis; and a daughter Cathi Pierce and grandson Grant Pierce. She is preceded in death by husbands Edward J. Rohn and Robert Nelson. A memorial, mass and reception will be held on May 30th, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Sun City. Elizabeth will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Our Lady of Solitude Monastery, PO Box 639, Tonopah, AZ 85354 or www.desertnuns@msn.com.