The money collected will be used to award either a free Portfolio Critique at or Conference Attendance to one of the two annual Southern Breeze conferences for a budding illustrator in our Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi region.
As Liz's daughter, Caitlin, said, "Mom used the critiques to enhance her art and strengthen her confidence. Later, down the line, she was asked to actually do critiques for others...she was ecstatic! I just know how much it did for her and hope that it could help another aspiring writer/illustrator in the same way..."

We feel this is a way our wonderfully supportive community of children's book writers and illustrators can honor our friend best. If you would like to make a donation, please make out a check to:Southern Breeze
and mail it to:
Southern Breeze SCBWI
PO Box 26282
Birmingham, AL 35260
(State that it is for the Liz Conrad Fund on the check or envelope.)

Liz, Rick, Caitlin, and Lauren crossed our paths in Lexington, KY. What great friends and neighbors. We went to the U.K. vs. University of Alabama football game together one year, sat on the top row of the stadium, and watched Kentucky make history as they beat Alabama and the students carried off the goal post! Every Christmas we would have a neighborhood gathering of the women at our home. After the Conrads moved, Liz sent in her beautiful Christmas card, a note and asked how the party had gone that year and she sure missed being there. I had not done a party that year, but I tell you I did the next and will continue to do so in the future as that is how memories are made and shared and that leaves a lasting place in someone's heart. When you can't be there physically, the memories take you back. Liz touched us all deeply with her warmth and we will miss her terribly. We are grateful for the glow of her memories that continue to shine on us.

I just found a note from Liz - one of her favorite verses...

Do not forget to entertain strangers
for by doing so
some people have
entertained angels
without knowing it.

I have struggled to find words to express my feelings for Liz and the deep hole that has been left in all of us who knew and loved her. I met Liz when I was the Illustrator Coordinator for Southern Breeze. She popped up at the portfolio table and greeted me with that dazzling smile. In the years I knew her, I never heard her utter a negative word.

Though Liz was (so hard to use past tense) petite, usually the tiniest person in a photo, she was the one that all eyes couldn't help but focus on. How could you not be drawn into her joy of life.

“...do not say a little in many words, but a great deal in a few.” Author Unknown

Though our world is dimmer because of our loss, heaven is all the brighter.
Connie

After 30 years of friendship, sisterhood, and love........how do you say goodbye to a best friend. That's the question I have been asking myself for days with tears and a broken heart. Yesterday I realized I don't say" goodbye ", I say "thank you"... thank you for the blessing of having the loving times together....and thank you for our conversation just two weeks ago, I was blessed to tell her "I love you".
I miss you Lizzie.........you are my very best friend and now I get the incredible pleasure of forever having an angel such as you.....you are with me always.
Rick, Caitlin, Lauren, Marge, Jim and Hallie,.......Thank you for sharing Liz all these years, My love to all of you, God comforts, Lizzie is home
Trust in the Lord with all your heart...Lean not on your own understanding......In all your ways acknowledge Him Proverbs