Elizabeth A. Ferris

Elizabeth A. (Wiley) Ferris, 58, passed away unexpectedly at home on Friday, March 4, 2016. She was born in Frankfurt, Germany on December 6, 1957 to Robert and Josephine Wiley and was the oldest of three children. The family moved from Germany to San Francisco, California before settling in Lawrence, Kansas where Elizabeth graduated from Lawrence High School. She attended the University of Kansas before graduating Cum Laude from William Woods University with a double bachelor's degree in Business and Equestrian Science. On July 6, 1991 she married Scott Ferris in Lawrence, Kansas in a ceremony presided over by Scott's father, the Rev. Thomas Ferris. They had many happy times together and traveled throughout the US and the Caribbean. They enjoyed the hiking the outdoors together as well as horseback riding whenever they had the chance. Elizabeth worked in the purchasing department at the University of Kansas for many years. In the early 2000's she took a two year sabbatical before finishing out her long career of state service in the fiscal department of the Kansas Department of Corrections. She retired in December of 2014. Throughout her life Elizabeth's love of horses and all things equestrian was evident. She began riding at a very young age and was an accomplished horsewoman. While still in high school, the family moved to Australia for a year while her father taught at the University of Melbourne. In Australia she was able to participate in numerous horse shows, winning a number of competitions. She continued that success at William Woods and also assisted in judging of horse shows. Elizabeth loved animals and the outdoors. In recent years she had become an avid photographer and she and Scott enjoyed traveling to national parks, zoos and botanical gardens so she could ply her craft. She often joked that Scott was her "Sherpa and spotter" on these trips. She was talented at counted cross stitch art and produced many fine works that are displayed around the home. Elizabeth also loved decorating the home for Christmas and always put up an exquisitely beautiful tree with ornaments collected from trips around the country and elsewhere as well as her own handmade creations. She was an accomplished cook producing many a gourmet meal and always looking for new things to try. She is survived by her husband Scott; mother Josephine Wiley; brother Jim (Olga) Wiley; brother David (Ellen) Wiley; niece Alayna Wiley and numerous other cousins, nieces and nephews. A private memorial service will be held by the family in the near future.