Liz Simcox 1950 – 2025

The world lost a remarkably special soul when Liz Simcox transitioned from this life on August 7, 2025.  Born Elizabeth Lee Berner on June 12, 1950, in Bishop, California, to Julia Lee [Elliott] Berner; her father William Berner having died in an auto accident before she was born.  She was raised at Tom’s Place until age five, at which time, her mother remarried and they moved to Los Angeles.  Younger brothers Steve and Ted soon came along, whom she adored, and who credit her to this day with helping to raise them—even throughout her own teen years.  She graduated from El Segundo High School in 1968, then moved to San Francisco to attend Beauty College.  In the early 70’s, a cross-country road trip to deliver a catering truck to the east coast launched her toward a stint living and traveling Europe.  However, her loving heart called her back home again to Bishop when she was needed to help wrangle her teenage brothers. To numerous nieces and nephews, Liz was the fun and clever-gift-giving Aunt (who just happened to have a pet tortoise and who would hide the peas on her plate anywhere she could—even other people’s plates).

At several times in their younger lives, Liz’s path crisscrossed with that of her long-time partner Jerry Simcox (e.g., Tom’s Place as kids, Rocking K Ranch when she was a waitress, even the European continent in the early 70s).  It was finally in 1985 at Jerry’s Silver Spoke Bike Shop in Bishop that their 40-year journey began.  They were married in 1987 and his loving devotion to her never wavered in sickness and in health, good times and bad.  Together, they had a least 10 different dogs over the years, sometimes even three at a time.  Liz was a passionate dog-lover and defender of all kinds of animals, dedicating many volunteer hours to the Eastern Sierra Wildcare Sanctuary.  She also volunteered to assist seniors with tax preparation.  In addition to her generous volunteerism, Liz was an avid reader.  During her working years, Liz worked as a talented newspaper editor for Sierra Daily News, as well as hair stylist, waitress, leathersmith, and dedicated caregiver.  She put her whole-heart and hard-work into everything she did.  She made friends with anyone and everyone.

Preceding Liz in death were father William Berner; mother Julia Lee Houser; nephew Ted Friedline II; nephew Jim Mann; nephew Jason Mann; mother-in-law Marie [Simcox] Nellums; father-in-law Willam Simcox; sister-in-law Terry [Simcox] Sanfillippo; brother-in-law Ross Simcox; and brother-in-law Bruce Simcox.

Liz is survived by loving husband of 38 years Jerry Simcox; brother Steve Friedline (Jennifer); brother Ted Friedline (Anita); nephew Billie Lozano (Dawn); nephew Skyler Friedline; nephew Carson Friedline; sister-in-law Nikki [Simcox] Hall (Jimmy); sister-in-law Christie [Simcox] Jarrett; and many cousins and countless friends.  She will be forever-remembered and forever-missed for her love, compassion, sense of humor, singing the Birthday Song by Lizzie the Birthday Clown, and so much more.  In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome to Sierra Wildcare Sanctuary.