Farmington Planning, Land Trust Official Elizabeth Dolphin Dies

FARMINGTON, CT — Farmington residents are mourning the loss of Elizabeth Dolphin, who had a life-long passion for the environment as both the town's assistant town planner and as the head of the Farmington Land trust.

Dolphin, who was born on May 25, 1959, died on Aug. 15.

A celebration of her life has been scheduled for the Winding Trails Robin Hood Pavilion on Sept. 3 at 11 a.m.

Donations in her memory can be made to the Farmington Land Trust.

Here is her obituary:

A light went out on August 15, 2021, when Elizabeth Dolphin passed away peacefully, with her husband, best friend, and nature cohort of 34 years Llewelyn Dolphin close by her side. Liz was raised in Darien, CT and Wilmington, DE. Her love of nature, the outdoors, and commitment to the environment began at an early age and became a life-long passion shared with her all those close to her and benefitting untold numbers of enthusiasts in the state of Connecticut.

With her BS from Ohio Wesleyan in Zoology and her MA in Planning from Antioch College in hand she stepped into a decades long career as Assistant Town Planner for Farmington, CT. Her dedication to Open Space and Preservation of Natural Resources overlapped and continued with her final role as Executive Director of the Farmington Land Trust. Members of the Land Trust truly understood why ‘the light went out’ as they clearly remember Liz addressing them so many times. In recent days, the remark that as she approached the group, she ‘lit up the room’ have been made and there can be no better tribute to her energy, her motivation, and her commitment.

There was nothing about the great outdoors that Liz did not embrace passionately as all holes in her schedule were filled by hiking, biking, skiing, and kayaking with her beloved Lew at her side.

But her true passion was birding beginning in her youth and continuing until her courageous battle ended. Weather never interrupted the hours spent with Lew birding as she time and time again she wowed him with her knowledge of birds and ability to converse on the highest level with fellow advocates on a wide range of topics from shoreline birds to inland wetland bird habits and beyond. For as long as anyone can remember, Elizabeth Dolphin was a member of the National Audubon Society, and, in our hearts, she will remain so forever.

Her binoculars were always at the ready, always in her backpack every step she took into nature. Her lifelong passion for birding photography, her amazing and beautiful collection of winged friends brought her and those that shared her feelings great joy. Springtime was a delight as she and Lew would count the new baby birds feeding at the bird feeder in their yard. It delighted her to know she had a role in adding these new arrivals. It gives comfort to consider that her beloved Swallows: The Barn Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Chimney Swift, and Purple Martin are all aware of our loss and paying tribute to her love and passion in kind.

Liz is survived by her husband, Llewelyn Dolphin, by her brother David Sisson, sister Karen Marshall Bartine along with close friends and colleagues of her Farmington Town Hall family, and her treasured nieces and nephews.