Morning Edition Wichita Eagle
December 9, 1980
By Joe Gandelman
Staff Writer
Elizabeth Carey loved to help people-quietly.
"She would never let the right hand know what the left hand was doing," said Irene Vickers Baker, a long time friend. "She never wanted any publicity."
Mrs. Carey died in Wichita Saturday at the age of 87. But her friends believe her spirit will live on through her quiet actions. They say she was an unsung hero-unsung by choice.
In fact, Mrs. Carey's banker at First National Bank in Wichita said he couldn't comment about her death-she had left written instructions to forestall publicity.
"I've been her friend for more than 25 years," said Betty Garvey. "There would be nothing that would be more embarrassing to her than to name the people she helped. The little ladies at the Masonic Home never knew who sent them their outfits. She'd never let me say anything.
"She'd send the children from the Wichita Children's Home to the Shrine Circus. And there were some boys she helped send through college. She just did so much for people. Once in a while I'd get letters (for her) addressed to 'My Mysterious Santa Claus.' I'd read them to her."
Elizabeth Everett came to Wichita from New Orleans, La. She married Joseph Carey, a prominent Wichita attorney, on April 12, 1919.
"Mrs. Carey was wonderful, and always tried to hide the things she did," said Pauline Gillespie, who knew her for 70 years. "One time, somebody she knew needed an air conditioner in their room, so she sent money."
Mrs. Carey was also "one (sic) of the main pillars of the Wichita Art Association's decorative art show, which lasted for many years, according to Mrs. Baker. "She would buy one of the prize (winners). It might be a sculpture in marble or metal. After she bought it, she'd present it as a gift, which became part of the Art Association exhibit."
A service will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, at the Highland Cemetery. A memorial has been established with the Wichita Children's Home.
