Elizabeth B. Redway

MIDDLEBURY — Elizabeth "Liza" Bean Redway died peacefully at home, Thursday, January 16, 2020, surrounded by her family, after being diagnosed with a brain tumor more than a year ago. She was the wife of James D. Redway of Middlebury for 38 years; the couple began dating in 1974.

The daughter of Carolyn Granniss Bean and the late Robert L. Bean of Middlebury, she was born June 3, 1958 in Waterbury. Besides her husband and mother, Liza is survived by her two sons: James Christopher Redway and his wife, Sherry, of Cheshire and Jason G. Redway of Woodbury.

A 1976 graduate of Pomperaug High School in Southbury, Liza received her bachelor of science degree in horticulture from Hartwick College in Oneonta, N.Y., where she was a member of Beta Beta Beta, a national biological honor society. She also earned an associate's degree in plant science and horticulture from SUNY Cobleskill in 1980.

After graduating from college, Liza worked as a floral designer at Nature's Touch Flower Shop in Middlebury for 10 years. In 1990, Liza joined her husband, building and selling their 18th century-style solid cherry furniture at their shop, The Silver Cherry in Woodbury, and at various other furniture markets and shows throughout New England.

Near the end of the 1990s, Liza again joined her husband in their new company, Knightlite Software LLC, creating and selling computer study software for firefighters, EMTs and paramedics throughout the nation.

She was a former member of the Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary.

Liza was an incredibly creative and unique individual. She was always a kind, sweet and caring person. How Liza came across to others was how Liza really was. She was as genuine as she was beautiful, both on the inside and out.

As a girl, Liza enjoyed riding her horse, Clancy. She was skilled at flower arranging and would often handle the wedding flowers for friends and family.

One of her favorite things to do was to sit on Madaket Beach in Nantucket, sipping wine and watching the sun sink down into the ocean, always hoping for a colorful sunset. She also loved to go to the Redway House in Stockbridge, Mass., where the couple managed the family vacation rental and danced under the Berkshire stars at Tanglewood.

In addition to her immediate family, she is survived by her sister, Suzanne Bean Cooper and her husband, Doug; a brother, Scott Bean; her brother-in-law, Albert "Tad" S. Redway, III, and his wife, Stephanie, along with two nieces, Erica Kerber and Christine Burgos.

She was the aunt of the late Max Bean.

A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 22, at the Middlebury Congregational Church in Middlebury.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Middlebury Congregational Church, 1242 Whittemore Rd., Middlebury 06762.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Elizabeth B. Redway, please visit our floral store.