Elizabeth Kruidenier

Elizabeth Pitlik Kruidenier was born on December 7, 1931 in Cairo, Egypt and passed away on September 28, 2025 in Carlsbad, California, surrounded by her family. She was a proud advocate for mental health awareness and beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

Liz’s father Milan Pitlik was in the Czech foreign service and her mother Marthe Pitlik was of French and Greek heritage. Liz’s family served in a diplomatic post in Prague, eight months after she was born. Her brother Andre Pitlik was born in Bern, Switzerland in August 1934. In 1937, the Pitliks were transferred to another post in London in 1937. They were stationed there when World War II broke out in September 1939 after Germany invaded Czechoslovakia.

In July 1940 Liz escaped the war zone with her mother and brother, while her father remained on post in London. The trio sailed from Swansea, Wales on a friend’s Greek cargo ship that was carrying coal to Montreal, Canada. They were escorted half way across the Atlantic Ocean by a convoy of ships that successfully evaded German U boats by zigzagging across the ocean. Liz and her family were the only passengers on board the ship and they were allowed to stay in the captain’s quarters for their cross-Atlantic journey. The family eventually settled in New York City.

Liz attended Miss Hall’s School in Pittsfield, Massachusetts and then Smith College in Northampton, Mass. While at Smith, Liz met an Amherst student named Peter Kruidenier and the couple was married in December 1952, just a few months before they both graduated in 1953. The newlyweds moved briefly to Kansas and then Colorado where Peter served in basic training for the U.S. Army. The Kruidenier family then settled in Greenwich, Connecticut where Carol was born on November 9,1955 and sister Wendy was born on October 28,1957.

In 1958 the family moved to Winnetka, Illinois and then Gross Pointe, Michigan in 1961, when Liz began her involvement in mental health advocacy. Liz joined the Junior League there and was asked to study mental health services by then Michigan Governor Mennen Williams.

In 1963, the Kruidenier family moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, where Liz volunteered for the Junior League and served as president of the Scottsdale Girls Club. Liz was also an active member of The Smith Club at the time.

In 1974, following a divorce, Liz moved to Los Angeles, where she became partners with Jim Daugherty. Liz worked in marketing for a bank and a gift store. In 1991, she moved to San Diego County to help launch a new Spanish TV station.

Upon retirement, Liz joined the League of Women Voters North San Diego County, heading up their Carlsbad unit while serving as Social Policy board chair. Liz helped organize their winter shelter for the homeless before becoming Mental Health chair for the County League.

Liz joined the North Coastal Board for NAMI - the National Alliance on Mental Illness and became a Family to Family teacher after taking classes. Liz was later appointed Co-Vice President of Programming for three years, and then became Co-President for another three year term. She also continued to serve on many County Behavioral Health Advisory Councils, as well as non-profits to encourage better mental health services for residents of North County.

Liz is survived by her daughter Carol Luery (Michael) and pre-deceased by her younger daughter Wendy Wilkinson, her brother Andre Pitlik, her ex-husband Peter Kruidenier and former partner Jim Daugherty. Her legacy includes five grandchildren, Sarah Luery (Evan Allgood), Matthew Luery (Karen), Nicholas Wilkinson (Elizabeth Gallaga), Chelsea Mains (Spencer), and Ryan Wilkinson. Liz is also survived by two great grandchildren.

To honor Liz’s lifelong advocacy for mental health awareness, donations may be made to NAMI, St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church or a charity of your choice.