Eliazbeth Ann "Liz" (Roberts) Kingston
Obituaries
The Daily Sentinel page 6A - August 4, 2021
Elizabeth Ann Kingston,
of Grand Junction, passed
away peacefully on
Saturday, July 31, 2021, at
the age of 86, at HopeWest
Hospice in Grand Junction.
She was a strong, loving,
intelligent, and sensitive woman whose love and
support for her family knew no bounds. She was also an
extraordinary violist who gave the gift of music to all
who had the pleasure to hear her play. To her family she
was the best mom, wife, grandma, great-grandma, and
daughter imaginable.
Liz was born July 15, 1935, in Windsor, MO, to Jane
and John Roberts. After their divorce, Liz was raised by
Jane and her step-father, Carlton Bowyer, in Columbia,
MO. She met her first husband, Paul Topper, while
attending Stephens College in 1954, and then earned
a B.Mus. at the University of Missouri, Columbia.
Afterwards, she studied with renowned concert
violinist Mischa Mischakoff in Michigan. When the
family moved to North Carolina she earned an M.A.
Music degree at East Carolina University. Following
divorce, Liz took her three sons back to Missouri and
taught at Truman State University. It was there that
she met Richard Kingston where they married in 1971,
beginning 50 years of married life together.
The family moved to Jacksonville, FL, and Liz
was hired as the principal violist of the Jacksonville
Symphony Orchestra and taught at Jacksonville
University. In 1979 the family moved to Grand Junction,
and Liz joined the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra
as their principal violist for 37 years. She also taught
lessons at Mesa State College and performed chamber
music throughout the region. Additionally, she was the
office manager for Richard’s busy medical practice
where she made many friends and helped numerous
people in the Grand Junction area.
Liz is survived by her husband, Dr. Richard Kingston;
sons, Eric Topper, of Grand Junction; Karl Topper and
wife, Terri Squires, of Nederland, and Robert Topper
and wife, Gayle, of Oakhurst, NJ; grandchildren, Ian
Topper, Eve Williams, Steven Topper, Michael Topper
and Elliot Topper; great-grandchildren, Olivia, Kyler,
and Carson, and her step-mother, Karen Bowyer. She
was preceded in death by daughter, Lauren, as well as
her parents and her step-father.
The family requests that donations be made in her
memory to the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra
at https://gjso.org/ to honor her dedication to the
performing arts in her community.
