Former Catholic Herald staff writer, Elizabeth Alice Elliott, 47, died of heart attack April 27 while traveling from her home in Harlan, Iowa, to visit a friend out of state.
Elliott was born Oct. 14, 1976, and grew up in Omaha, Neb., graduating from Marian High School. She attended Creighton University in Omaha and graduated with degrees in journalism and music, and a master’s in creative writing. She also earned a certificate in paralegal studies from the College of Saint Mary in Omaha.
Elliott tried several careers and a short discernment as a religious sister with the Servants of Mary in Portland, Ore., before ultimately following her passion for writing.
She was an intern at the National Catholic Reporter and a freelancer for America magazine, among others, before joining the Catholic Herald in 2016.
In 2019, Elliott moved back to Nebraska to be closer to her family, where she was the assistant editor at Enterprise Media Group in Blair, Neb., for several publications.
In 2022, she took on a new challenge as the editor of Harlan Tribune & News in Harlan, Iowa.
Elliott, an award-winning journalist and photographer, loved volunteering for assignments in the Arlington diocese that were off the beaten path so she could explore more of the area. She said on more than one occasion, “I don’t know how long I will live in Virginia, so I want to see as much as I can while I am here.”
Beyond traveling and being a tourist, she loved being an aunt to her nieces and nephew, her faith and attending Mass. She was proud of her home state and being a Creighton grad, she donned blue and white to watch basketball games.
She loved photographing flowers and gardens; driving her car anywhere; being part of a group — even if she didn’t care about the activity; being spontaneous and trying new things on a whim; the color purple; sunrises and sunsets; reading; happy hours; Diet Coke; going to the movies; and being a good friend to any who needed her.
As multiple people have posted on her Facebook page since her passing, “Heaven got a new angel in its choir today.”
Elliott is predeceased by her mother Kathryn Elliott; survived by her father John Elliott; stepmother Patricia Elliott; sisters Maggie and Eloise Elliott; sister Becky McKenzie; brother-in-law Michael McKenzie; nieces Gianna and Alexa McKenzie; brother Kevin Elliott; niece Kathryn and nephew Samson Elliott; and multiple aunts, uncles and cousins.
A Mass of Christian Burial was offered for Elliott May 9 at St. Pius X Church in Omaha, Neb.
