Tuesday, September 2, 2008

In Memoriam: Elizabeth Prevatt

Posted by Bruce Miller
I am sad to write today about the passing of our dear friend, Elizabeth Prevatt. With love and respect, we will dedicate our upcoming production of The Clean House to her memory. Her physical house (a neat-as-a-pin apartment on Malvern Ave.) and her spiritual home (her army of friends from Miller & Rhoades and Barksdale) were always comfortable, welcoming and especially well tended.

Elizabeth worked for years at M & R as Assistant Merchandise Controller, using her watchful eye to ensure that product sales and purchases stayed in proper balance. After her retirement, Elizabeth soon became one of Central Virginia’s most hard working and omnipresent volunteer theatre ushers, not only at Barksdale, but, on occasion, at venues all around town.

Many of you will remember her as the elegant, prim, white haired lady who tore your tickets as you entered the lobby at the top of the stairs. Elizabeth was here for almost every performance, year after year. She worked throughout the run of Guys and Dolls. She was a kind, loving, openhearted member of our theatre family, and we will miss her and treasure her memory for years to come.

Elizabeth was pre-deceased by her beloved son, and well cared for by her loving daughter-in-law, Gloria. A memorial service will be held in her honor on Friday at 1 pm at Battery Park Christian Church, 4201 Brook Road.

--Bruce Miller

2 comments:

Scott Wichmann said...

Elizabeth was such a warm, sweet, enthusiastic supporter of the Theatre, and she will be sorely missed. She would always greet me in the lobby with a hug and a smile before the show... She was so interested in my life and the things that I had going on. I will miss her vitality, energy and support, and I will always cherish the time I got to spend with her. My condolences to her family...

Bruce Miller said...

I just returned from Elizabeth's memorial service, and it was perfect. A joyful caring, a strong sense of extended family, and an energetic life force permeated every moment.

And there was a BIG TURNOUT, as Elizabeth would say. Lots of friends from Barksdale, Miller & Rhoades, Virginia Tourism, Elizabeth's mahjong clutch, and all her other circles of friends. It was inspiring to see so much palpable affection and respect, as together we all remembered a life well lived.

Elizabeth was all too acquainted with life's tragedies, but she stayed active helping others till the day she died. She was 86 years young. It was a privilege to know her, and it will be a blessing to cherish her memory.

And who knew? Both her grandsons are in the business! One's in film production, I think, in L. A., and the other is a voice talent and actor in NYC. Elizabeth loved the arts, and her grandsons didn't fall far from the tree.

And her daughter-in-law, Gloria, delivered a spot-on eulogy or tribute or whatever you want to call it. Funny and loving and warm.

It was a PERFECT service.