Elizabeth Leigh Arnold

Cherished Daughter, Sister, And Granddaughter; Devoted Friend

Elizabeth Leigh Arnold, 25, formerly of Newtown, beloved by her family and many friends, died in a car accident, November 9.

Ms Arnold graduated from Newtown High School in 2003 and went on to major in communications at Bryant University, graduating in 2007. A strong and confident student, she finished high school one semester early, studied during the spring of 2003 at Western Connecticut State, and was on the Dean’s List at Bryant.

After college, she moved to Boston and immediately entered the management training program with CVS. Her professionalism earned her a promotion to store manager and during her three years with CVS, she managed several stores in the Boston area.

She had a deep, loving connection with her extended family. She was a devoted daughter, a supportive sister who admired and “was always there” for her beloved brother, Chris, and an adoring granddaughter whose relationship to Grandma Millie gave new meaning to the word special. She was looking forward to the annual large family gathering this Thanksgiving.

Ms Arnold had a smile that could light up the universe. Even as a young girl, she was warm, caring, and generous. While growing up, she volunteered at the Newtown Youth Services and also at Ashlar, where she revealed a special sensitivity for senior citizens. She was known to her wide circle of friends and family as someone who was always ready to help. Her last hours were spent traveling to Connecticut to support a friend during a doctor’s appointment.

She felt a special bond to the community at Trinity Episcopal Church in Newtown, where she had her first communion and her confirmation, sang in the choir, and served as acolyte and lector.

Ms Arnold lived in Brighton, Mass., and had just settled into her first “grown-up” apartment that she shared with her beloved cat, Ernie. Despite living in Boston, Liz remained fiercely loyal to the Yankees. She enjoyed both the exercise and the peace that she found from lengthy walks, whether in Boston or along the country roads back in Newtown. She had the capacity to do surprising things, and her role as the fearless “enforcer” at the heart of the Bryant women’s rugby club was just one example of how her confidence and talent could amaze and entertain her family and friends.

She is survived by her parents, Anita and Drew Arnold; her brother, Chris; and her grandmother, Camille Pollaci, all of Newtown; as well as a large and loving family of aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was predeceased by her grandparents, Matthew Pollaci of Sag Harbor, N.Y., and David and Mary Arnold of Douglaston, N.Y., and her aunt, Lynn Arnold McGowan, and her uncle, Matthew Pollaci, Jr.

A memorial mass will take place at Trinity Episcopal Church, Newtown, at 2 pm, Saturday, November 20.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions be made in Elizabeth’s name to Kevin’s Community Center, PO Box 37, Newtown CT 06470 or http://kevinscommunitycenter.org or to a charity of your choice.

The Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, is in charge of arrangements.

Newtown Bee            November 19, 2010