Arnott, Elizabeth 'Elspeth' Adams

Elizabeth “Elspeth” Adams Arnott, 74, of Cedar Rapids, died at Mercy Medical Center on Tuesday, May 14, 2013. A Scottish celebration of her life will begin with a visitation from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home and a service at 11 a.m. Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church by the Rev. Thomas E.S. Miller and Father Curt Moermond of Grace Episcopal Church. Private family inurnment: Cedar Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Survivors include her sister-in-law, Valerie Arnott of Clydebank, Scotland; nieces, Lindsay Arnott of West Haven, Conn., Karen Arnott of Melbourne, Australia, and Alison Arnott of Clydebank, Scotland; and many cousins in the United States and United Kingdom.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Archibald “Archie” Arnott.

Elspeth was born Aug. 23, 1938, in Glasgow, Scotland to Archibald McKinnon Arnott and Anne Adams Arnott (nee McKellar). In 1962, at the age of 23, she left Scotland for the United States, where she worked as a nanny to Peter and Bill, sons of B.B. and Peter Stamats. After leaving the Stamats she held several other positions, including food services trainee for United Airlines and a clerk at Craemer's Department Store. In 1969, she joined Merchants National Bank, where she worked for 31 years until her retirement in 2000.

When working as a customer service representative, Elspeth was quoted as saying, “I've found that if you are nice to people, they'll be nice to you.” Most recently Elspeth was a member of Mercy Medical Center Auxiliary. She was co-chair of the Uncommon Grounds Coffee Shop at Mercy Medical Center since its inception in 2003. She was a tireless volunteer for the American Cancer Society, participating in the Relay For Life and Daffodil Days.

A special thanks to the wonderful staff at Mercy Medical Center 9th floor cardiac and stroke unit for the care they provided during her last days.

Elspeth was a much loved aunt, sister-in-law, cousin, and friend to all who knew her. Her memory will be cherished forever.

Memorials may be directed to the Mercy Medical Center Auxiliary.

Online condolences may be sent to www.cedarmemorial.com.

Published May 17, 2013 in The Gazette