Elizabeth Shallcross Pool

Elizabeth Shallcross Pool, 98, died November 26, 2012, at her beloved home in Dublin. She was born September 27, 1914 in New York City, graduated from the Chapin School and was accepted at Vassar College. Instead of matriculating there, she and her best friend travelled around the world by ship. Upon her return she broke her promise to go to college (probably the only time in her life she did such a thing) and instead married Beekman Hoppin Pool. The marriage was to last for 70 years, until his death. In 1950, the couple moved to New Hampshire year-round, where Elizabeth created a life of books, activism, flowers, and wonderful conversation. She wrote and published six books: The Unexpected Messiah; The Unicorn was There; and Prologue to the Present (a three-volume history of the world). Lastly, she and her life-long best friend, both in their 90’s, co-authored the whimsical God of the Hinge. She also wrote and produced more than 40 plays and pageants. A marvelous raconteuse, Elizabeth was a spellbinding conversationalist, while bringing out the best in others. She was a lifelong speaker, writer and all-around advocate for the cause of managing human overpopulation. Three generations have experienced recall her waxing vehement on this topic. She was a friend of all animals, from her beloved dogs and cats to elephants, pigs, and any endangered species. Elizabeth took pleasure in inspiring children -- as a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader, as a director of the young casts of her theatrical productions, and as avid listener to and appreciator of young visitors whom she would invite for tea and delight with her dollhouses. She was proud of her godchildren, to whom she was devoted. She and her husband had three children of their own. Their son, Anthony Beekman Pool, died suddenly at age 21 in his senior year at Swarthmore College. Unimaginably, 14 years later, their daughter, Sylvia Pool Sperling, died unexpectedly at age 32 at her home in New York. Despite these devastating losses, Elizabeth and Beekman carried on as anchors for the family and committed activists in their community. Elizabeth is survived by her daughter, Dr. Felicity Pool, and adored grandson, Jeremy Eugene Pool.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, 128 Lakeside Avenue, Suite 301, Burlington, VT 05401 or Animal Legal Defense Fund, PO Box 96041, Washington, DC 20077-7136.