Elizabeth N. Sherman, 58, died peacefully at home in Coupeville on Feb. 22, 2003.

Elizabeth was born June 10, 1944, in Lone Pine, Calif., to Ed Nicoll and Ina (Mann) Nicoll. Elizabeth was raised in the Redding, Calif. area, and graduated from Anderson Union High School in 1962. She attended BIOLA University in La Mirada, Calif. She went on to receive her registered nursing certificate at Shasta Community College and her bachelor of arts degree in community services from California State University, Chico. She had also worked towards her masters degree in social work at California State University, Sacramento.

Elizabeth moved to Whidbey Island in 1993. She was initially employed at Whidbey General Hospital and Skagit Valley Hospital as a registered nurse, and later served in a community health nurse role as chief of the New Parent Support Team for the US Naval Station, Everett. She then worked for the Washington Department of Social and Health Services, as case resource manager for the developmentally disabled adults of Island County.

Elizabeth had a passion for gardening and gourmet cooking. She was a professional photographer with a business named Victorian Reflections. Elizabeth created and managed “Cottage on The Prairie,” a guest house for visitors to Whidbey Island.

Elizabeth was an active member of the Coupeville Lions Club. She campaigned tirelessly for establishment of the Crisis Care Nursery for North Whidbey, a cause for which she was named Volunteer of the Year. She was also Employee of the Year in 2000 for the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Division of Developmental Disabilities. Elizabeth loved hiking and backpacking. She was within a few miles of walking the entire Whidbey Island shoreline.

On April 10, 1999, she married Vincent Roger “Vin” Sherman at Coupeville United Methodist Church, where both she and Vin were members and Elizabeth was Missions Chairman.

Mrs. Sherman is survived by her husband Vin Sherman, at home; her father, Ed Nicoll and partner Dorothy Cupp of Shasta Lake, Calif.; her sister, Frances Roads and husband Jimmy of Tidewater, Ore.; her nephew Nathan Roads and wife Mindy and their children, Jonah, Chloe and Adrienne of San Diego; her niece, Ishah Roads and her children Khira and Madelynn of Tidewater, Ore.; her step-son, Carl Sherman, step-daughter, Britt Sherman, both of Tigard, Ore.; her mother-in-law, Jean Sherman of Coupeville; sister-in-law, Marilyn Sherman Clay and husband Robert of Coupeville; brother-in-law Dale Sherman and wife Liz, of Coupeville; also, numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Her mother, Ina Nicoll, and her father-in-law, Edwin Sherman, preceded her in death.

A private family graveside service will be held at Sunnyside Cemetery on Wednesday, Feb. 26. A memorial service will take place Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 2 p.m. at Coupeville United Methodist Church, The Rev. Dr. Mary Boyd officiating. Memorials may be made to United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), c/o Coupeville United Methodist Church. Services under direction of Burley Funeral Chapel. This obituary may be viewed at http://burley.plan4ever.com.