Elizabeth Bird Brandeen died of heart failure at home on Wednesday, March 2, while watching TV with her husband.
Her family, work colleagues and other friends are stunned by the loss. With a regime of walking and Pilates, and no known health problems, it was even more shocking.
Elizabeth lived a wonderful life. With husband Jeff Brandeen, an investment adviser, they’ve worked from their Altadena home for the last two years with their sweet cat, Sophie.
She talked by phone with her mom, Jane, daily and stopped by to see mom and dad a couple of times a week. As Jane said, “Elizabeth was my best friend!”
She had a 30-year career in accounting at architectural firms and was the controller and a senior associate with Pfeiffer Partners for 20 years. She recently successfully completed the merging of financial systems for her firm, Pfeiffer Partners, and Perkins Eastman. With her childhood best friend Abby Fiske, they were planning a vacation in France in May.
Born at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena, she did not stray far after moves across the country with her parents and brother Lee during her childhood.
Elizabeth graduated from La Cañada High School, and UCLA as a French major and business minor. She completed her education with a master’s in international management at the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Glendale, Arizona. And during the last week of school, she had her first date with the man who became the love of her life, Jeffrey. They shared a love of travel and sports, especially UCLA sports — “Go Bruins!” Football season ticket holders since graduation, they rarely missed a game at the Rose Bowl. And as “Francophiles,” they traveled to France, Tahiti and Corsica.
She is survived by her husband, Jeffrey; parents Jane and Lance Bird of Pasadena; brother and sister-in law Lee and Pat Bird of La Cañada Flintridge; and nephews Lance Bird, IV and Sean Bird.
Donations In Memory of Elizabeth Bird Brandeen can be made to:
Thunderbird School of Global Management at thunderbird.asu.edu/alumni/giving, and AIA Pasadena Foothill Chapter — Jean Roth Driskel Scholarship Fund for architectural students at connect.calfund.org/jean-roth-driskel-scholarship-fund.
