Elizabeth Livingston Rose
Nov. 1, 1929-Dec. 29, 2023
Pleasanton, California

Elizabeth (Liz) French Livingston Rose brightened any room she walked into with her warm smile and vivacious personality. She died in Sacramento Dec. 29, 2023, after a long battle to recover from a stroke. She was 94. She was an active member of GraceWay Church for decades, seen most Sundays sitting with her good friend, Helen Gaeckle, in the second row. Born in New York City, Liz and her brother David were adopted by the Rev. Lawrence H. French (Dutch Reformed), and his wife Jenny. Unfortunately, both died before Elizabeth was 12, so custody was awarded to cousins Jay and Prudy Higgins who ran a dairy farm in rural New Jersey. Elizabeth and David lived on and helped on the farm where they spent the remainder of their childhood. Elizabeth attended Nursing School at Orange Memorial Hospital, where she graduated and worked as a registered nurse. She met her future husband, Paul L. Livingston, MD, there. They married in 1953 and left for California. He established a private medical practice and they had 3 children, Laura, Jonathan Jay, and Sarah. They moved to Pleasanton in 1966 and later divorced when their youngest child was 13. Elizabeth married fellow Castlewood Country Club member Jack Rose and later began a career in Occupational Nursing at Owens Illinois, Inc., a glass manufacturing plant in Alameda. Liz loved golf and was also a member of the 18-hole group of golfers at Castlewood. She was a club member for more than 50 years. During this time, she tried to find out more about her biological mother and contacted the adoption agency. They told her that someone had been looking for her as well, and to get a copy of A Severe Mercy. She got the book, and on the back cover, there was a photo of the author, Sheldon Vanauken, and his wife Jean Davis (Davy), who looked exactly like Elizabeth at the same age. This discovery forever changed her life because, even though her mother had died, she had a family history for the first time. Elizabeth went to Virginia to meet her stepfather, Mr. Vanauken, an English Literature professor at Lynchburg College. He was overjoyed to meet her as it was his wife Davy’s last wish to find the child she named “Marion”, and he’d been trying to find her for 30 years. They visited often and had a warm relationship until he died in 1996. Elizabeth retired at 70 but worked part-time for Sutter VNA giving flu shots every fall. This is when she met many people in Pleasanton and the Tri-Valley. She was known as the “Flu Shot lady”. Liz was a tiny dynamo-always moving. She, in her Honda, would get groceries for friends, or take friends to appointments, attend grandson Spencer’s football games, and sing and dance at Castlewood when the piano player was there. And she always had a ham sandwich to spare. Professionally, she participated in the famous, long-term Nurses’ Health Study of Harvard University since its inception. Elizabeth loved Pleasanton, her neighborhood, and caring and vigilant neighbors, friends, and fellowship at her church. Thanks to them for staying in touch with her with their many cards, prayers and stuffed animals. Liz naturally supported the First Tee for young golfers as well Guide Dogs for the Blind and Doctors without Borders. She is survived by her daughters Laura Livingston (Ken Dye) and Sarah Petras (Adam Petras); her son Jonathan Livingston; grandson Spencer Petras; nephew David L. French (Nancy); niece June Corbett (Gary) and their families; and stepson Ken Rose (Mishell) and his family. She was preceded in death by her brother, David L. French, and her second husband, Jack Rose. The family prefers contributions to the American Heart Association