Just at sunset, 8:18 PM on Sunday, August 7, 2011, Elizabeth Gilmore passed away. She was surrounded by her loving husband, her children, her grandchildren, and her dogs. She went very peacefully with infinite grace. Elizabeth assisted many families as their midwife and teacher of other midwives in Taos County since 1978, through the Northern New Mexico Birth Center, of which she was a founder. She was an unparalleled champion of mothers and babies, famous for those efforts throughout the world; she also founded the Midwifery Education Accreditation Counsel and the National College of Midwifery.
Elizabeth was born on September 9, 1947 to Louis E. Stephens and Helen Hall Stephens and grew up in La Ciudad & Tepoztlan Mexico. She is survived by her husband, Carl, her children, Anna, Ezra, and Jan, ex-husband Daniel, her grandchildren, Jang, Logan and Hunter, her mother Helen, her siblings Charles, Louis, Alice & James, She will be missed by a staggering number of people for whom she was a teacher, a mentor, a friend & often as the first person they ever encountered.
The family wishes to thank Elizabeth’s friends who were so helpful & caring during her long illness. Elizabeth’s life touched many people around the world and a Memorial Celebration will be held on Sept. 24th, 2011 from 1pm to 4pm in the grass courtyard on the South side of the Sagebrush Inn, Taos New Mexico. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the National College of Midwifery, 209 State Rd 240,
Taos, NM 87557.
Elizabeth was a member of the Taos Thresh (as they call themselves).
She translated “Rest Easy” and “Beautiful Gate.”
EL BELLO SAGUAN / BEAUTIFUL GATE
by Kate Munger,
translated by Elizabeth Gilmore
Velando y esperando ante el bello saguán
Su puerta cordial abre solo para tí
No llegarán temprano ni tarde serán
Velando y esperando ante el bello saguán.
Watching and waiting by that beautiful gate.
Its welcoming door opens just for you.
You can’t arrive early and you can’t arrive late.
Watching and waiting by that beautiful gate.
DESCANSA SUAVECITO / REST EASY
by Marilyn Power Scott, translated by Elizabeth Gilmore
Descansa suavecito
Deja que cada pena se aleja
Descansa suavecito
Está segura rodeada del amor
Easy, rest easy, let ev’ry trouble drift away.
Easy, rest easy, love enfolds you and holds you safe.