Elizabeth Ann Boylston, 82, a native of Sarasota, Fla., died July 23 in Carbondale in the loving embrace of family. Services will be held Friday, Aug. 1, at 3:30 p.m. in the Snowmass chapel with a reception to follow.
Beth was an artist in spirit, an architect in practice, and a passionate advocate of the natural environment and its untamed creatures. Born in 1926 in Sarasota, she was educated at the Out Of Door Academy on Siesta Key then received her architectural degree at Stephen’s College in St. Louis. She practiced in Sarasota, became the first woman in Florida to be elected to the American Institute of Architects, and was a member of the 1958 volunteer architects’ downtown Sarasota planning committee which inaugurated a decade of infrastructure building.
Beth was married to Gilbert Waters of Sarasota from 1951 to 1982, and had three children: Christopher Waters of Chattanooga, Tenn., Robin Waters of Basalt, and Michael Waters of Snowmass Village. Her daughter-in-law is Dee Waters, wife of Chris, and Sabine Gregor is Mike’s sweetheart. Her grandchildren are Jessica Waters of Denver; Erin, Mattie and Hannah Waters of Chattanooga, Tenn.; Lena and so many other furry companions she befriended or rescued.
Beth lived in Snowmass Village since 1982 where her art and volunteer activities flourished, inspired, in her words, by the “intertwining mountains, shadows moving across them, the blue sky, clouds, storms, sunsets and rushing rivers. To be a part of it is to paint it!”
She exhibited her paintings and sketches of nature, animals, moods and the music festival in Aspen and Snowmass Village. Beth volunteered at the Aspen senior center, library, thrift shop, animal shelter, various churches and schools, and the music association. She was an avid skier, and enjoyed fly-fishing, hiking, astronomy and traveling to exotic places. She especially enjoyed sketching on the Greek islands and hiking through Costa Rica while visiting her children there.
When vision difficulties prevented her from driving, she taught herself the computer, making numerous intricate computer-generated sketches and greeting cards, writing letters in support of her favorite causes, and corresponding with friends and family across the world.
She was predeceased by her brother, attorney and Florida state representative William Boylston, whose wife is Gay Boylston of Siesta Key. Their children are Kirk of Las Vegas, Jill of Gainesville, Fla., and Kim of Branchville, N.J. Her stepsister is Sally Lord also of Sarasota, stepbrother Brian Chellas of Calgary, Alberta, and cousin Carol Hudson of Gainesville.
Beth delighted in meeting and chatting with her many friends and acquaintances made during her 26 years in the valley. All are invited to join in a celebration of her life. She loved color and character and would wish all to dress with expression. In lieu of flowers, Beth would welcome donations made to Pathfinders (a cancer support program) 970-925-1226 and the Aspen Animal Shelter 970-544-0206.
