03/20/2026
In honor of Women's History Month, join us in celebrating Elizabeth!
Elizabeth Marie Parent was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1943 to her mother, Pearl, who was 44 at the time. After Elizabeth’s father passed away during her early childhood, Pearl moved with her daughter to St. Louis, Missouri. There, Elizabeth began working as a child model at just four years old, appearing in numerous advertisements featured in national publications.
A chance phone call helped shape the rest of her life. One day, a young man dialed the wrong number and reached Elizabeth instead. Their conversation sparked an immediate connection that eventually led to marriage. Elizabeth and Doug Glynn shared 63 wonderful years together. The couple later moved to Joplin, Missouri, where Elizabeth discovered her true calling while working with developmentally disabled children at College View State School. She dedicated more than 30 years to this meaningful work.
Service to others remained central to Elizabeth’s life. Through both her career and her faith, she supported many ministries and organizations connected to the Catholic Church.
Elizabeth and Doug were unable to have biological children, but their family grew through adoption. Within two years, they welcomed two newborn sons, Matt and Tyler. Elizabeth raised them with a thoughtful balance of discipline, humor, and compassion.
Elizabeth also enjoyed creative pursuits involving needles and thread. She spent countless hours crocheting, quilting, and creating needlepoint projects, often working on several pieces at once. Her passion for sewing even led her to keep three sewing machines in regular use.
Animals also brought her great joy. Throughout her life, Elizabeth surrounded herself with beloved pets and, at one point, cared for four dogs at the same time.
Known for sharing thoughtful insights in simple words, Elizabeth often reminded others: “We are all different soups made of different ingredients and coming together at different speeds.” Her wisdom, generosity, and creativity continue to inspire those who know her.
