Elizabeth Anne Dolan
April 14, 1991-Jan. 28, 2023
Mountain View, California
Submitted by Matt Dolan
Elizabeth Anne “Lizzy” Dolan of Mountain View, California, drew her last breath on Saturday, January 28, 2023, after 31 years of life. Diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at four months of age Lizzy lived a life of imaginative joy and shared her light and love with all who knew her.
Born to parents Matt and Anne Dolan in St Louis Missouri on April 14, 1991. She was the youngest of three siblings joining her brother and sister to complete the Dolan family. Lizzy was the granddaughter of the late Elmer and Mary Dolan of St Louis, Missouri and the late Leo and Aileen Wetta of Colwich, Kansas.
Adapting not yielding Lizzy lived beyond the daily breathing treatments, clinic visits, hospital stays and home IV infusions. She loved and was devoted to her brother and sister who lived this journey with her. Despite the stresses of chronic illness, daily family life was filled with care, support and typical sibling squabbles. However, Lizzy the tiniest and youngest was the fiercest protector when it came to her brother and sister.
The activities of her school days included: Brownies, swim team, volleyball and high school theatre productions. As a preschooler Lizzy advised us that being “cute” is the initial step for all of life’s activities. Be it rollerblading in the neighborhood, CF clinic visits, time with friends or at home snuggling in front of the TV. Love, light and cute relay the spirit of our Lizzy! Of course, the highlight of her school days were the many friendships made and most specifically BFF Kara, who shared this journey with Lizzy. After lung transplant and with her most recent hospitalization Kara was there when Lizzy woke up and at her side to say goodbye.
The ever-present progression of a chronic illness led to the San Francisco Bay Area seeking medical care at the Cystic Fibrosis Clinic at Stanford Hospital. There Lizzy found excellent medical care, compassionate caregivers and received a bilateral lung transplant February 1, 2019. The transplant provided Lizzy four years filled with adventure, new friendships and continued time with her tiny constant companion Tucker the chihuahua. These days spent with long walks and visits to the dog park, enrolling in the American Airlines New York Half Marathon, travels to Europe with her sister, a no agenda California road trip with her brother, skydiving with her dad and short trips along the West Coast from Seattle to Southern California. Quiet moments at home, trips to the beach, museums, shopping and dining with her mother, visits with friends, books from the library and shared experiences with an active online advocacy presence and volunteering with Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Lizzy is survived by her parents Matt and Anne Dolan, her devoted brother Matt, her adoring sister Susan and an abundant number of those she loved and who loved her: cousins, friends, CF community members and UNOS community members.
Arrangements were handled by Spangler Mortuary with Funeral Mass celebrated at Saint Nicholas Catholic Church, 473 Lincoln Ave, Los Altos, CA 94022, Friday, February 3, 2023. Private burial is planned for a later date.
In lieu of flowers a memorial is established with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. https://give.cff.org/tribute/Saltywoman65