Elizabeth Cooper Terwilliger OBITUARY
Elizabeth Cooper Terwilliger Environmental Educator Elizabeth Cooper Terwilliger, legendary naturalist and fondly known as Mrs. “T”, passed away peacefully on November 27th, 2006 at The Redwoods in Mill Valley at the age of 97. A familiar figure in her big straw hat, she introduced the love of nature to three generations of Bay Area residents. She was born on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, on the Aiea sugar plantation on September 13th, 1909 to Dr. Henry Bryant Cooper and Florence Carson Cooper. Elizabeth graduated from Punahou and University of Hawaii, Columbia University and Stanford School of Nursing in San Francisco, where she met her husband Dr. Calvin King Terwilliger. They lived in Marin County for over 60 years where Mrs. T was actively involved with volunteer campaigns that created playgrounds, bike paths, small boat docks and county and state parks. She helped preserve Marin’s marshes, the Richardson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, the Monarch Butterfly Grove at Muir Beach, helped save Angel Island from development, and left an environmental legacy for future generations. Mrs. T’s enthusiastic interactive style, made every bird, flower, bug, plant, tree, and animal “Something Special!” Children and adults alike fell under her spell on varied outings, which included hikes, field trips, bike trips, canoe trips and horseback rides. Even Presidents were not immune to Mrs. T’s charm. In 1984, she was presented the “Volunteer Action Award” by Ronald Reagan at the White House. Her reverence for nature was truly evident and was expressed in her book, “Sights and Sounds of the Seasons.” Inspired to spread Mrs. T’s unique multi-sensory teaching technique, volunteer Joan Linn Bekins launched the Terwilliger Nature Guides, the Terwilliger Guild and founded the Terwilliger Nature Education Center, which later merged with California Wildlife Center to become WildCare. Bekins also produced the “Tripping with Terwilliger” film series, used to supplement the science curriculum in elementary schools nationwide. Now converted to video, the “Tripping with Terwilliger” film series is available free to educators from the Terwilliger Nature Education Legacy. Founded by her children, the Legacy perpetuates Mrs. T’s lifelong desire to share her love of nature with the entire world. TNEL also plans to help fund other educational programs such as field trips led by Terwilliger Nature Guides and Nature Van school visits, both administered by WildCare in San Rafael. Elizabeth was preceded in death by brothers Dr. John William Cooper, Col. Henry Bryant Cooper Jr. and beloved husband, Dr. Calvin King Terwilliger. She is survived by her daughter Lynn Ellen Terwilliger of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and son John Cooper Terwilliger of Fresno, CA. Grandsons John Ryan Terwilliger, Sean M. Terwilliger and Dana C. Sanford. Nieces Sarah Bunje and Elizabeth Lowrey, and Nephews Michael Cooper and Dr. John Cooper. A public celebration of her life will be held January 13th, 2007 at 1:30 p.m. at the Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto. The family requests that cards, memories or tax-deductible gifts in her honor be sent to: Terwilliger Nature Education Legacy (TNEL), P.O. Box 722, Tiburon, CA 94920. (Tax ID No. 56-237441). For more information go to www. terwilligerfilms.org or write to the above address.
