Elizabeth Smith Magoon

Longtime Sun City resident Elizabeth Smith Magoon died of cancer on October 8.
Liz settled in Arizona in the late 1990s, when she was an organizational development consultant working with the Arizona Department of Transportation and other public and non-profit organizations. Later, as a licensed real estate agent, she helped people in the Sun City area purchase and sell homes.
Liz was a lifelong advocate for volunteerism. She was a consultant for the National Center for Voluntary Action during the organization’s early years, served on a number of non-profit boards of directors, and volunteered for several Sun City-area organizations until her health declined. These included the Sun City Visitors’ Center and the Avondale School District, where she served as a library assistant.
Born and raised in Idaho, Liz earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University of Idaho and a master’s degree in organizational development from Pepperdine University, and in the 1980s began her consulting practice in that field. She had many long-term clients, most of them public agencies and not-for-profit organizations, from Alaska to Arizona.
After relocating to Sun City, Liz continued her work in organizational development, and also obtained her real estate license and became an agent with Keller Williams – which she enjoyed until her retirement in 2013.
Liz is survived by her sister, Alice Burgess of Seattle; her brother, David Smith, and three favorite cousins in Idaho; and many friends.
Memorial contributions to cancer research and treatment organizations, or to organizations that care for cats, would make Liz smile. She was “owned” throughout her life by a series of cats that meant a great deal to her.
No services are planned at this time.