Elizabeth Whitefield

Honorable Elizabeth E. Whitefield died peacefully in her home on August 11, 2018 after a courageous 11-year battle with cancer. She died as she lived, graciously and generously. Her loving husband, and devoted caretaker, Paul Thorne; and her dear friends, Mary Torres and John Chavez were at her side.

Elizabeth Whitefield had in recent years made headlines as an advocate for aid-in-dying legislation. She performed one of her greatest acts of service when she testified in support of the End of Life Options Act during the 2017 legislative session, which would have allowed her to legally seek a doctor’s help to end her own life. The Act would have allowed terminally ill patients to choose to end their life and suffering with medical assistance.

In support of the Act she told the legislators “cancer has stolen everything from me; my ability to work, my ability to eat, my ability to drink. Don’t let me die without dignity. I implore you to give me the choice that is right for me.” It did not pass.

In May 2018, Retired District Court Judge Elizabeth Whitefield spoke bravely and eloquently with a trach tube attached to her about how she supports the resolution discussed by the Albuquerque City Council because she may be one of the people that will use it.

Whitefield said she has terminal cancer. “I am the face of one of the users of this bill. I know my death is going to be painful. This will allow me to have the dignity that cancer has taken away from the rest of my life. It allows competent people a dignified way to die.”

The resolution to support doctors to help terminally ill patients die with dignity was unanimously passed by the Council.

Elizabeth was born at a Marine Base in Cherry Point, NC on May 9, 1947 to a family of Irish/Swiss immigrants. She came to New Mexico with her first husband, Jan Whitefield. She received her Bachelor of Arts, Magna cum Laude, from the University of New Mexico in 1974, becoming the first member of her family to graduate college. Elizabeth attended UNM Law School, graduating with her Juris Doctorate in 1977. Elizabeth, by then Judge Whitefield, was awarded the UNM School of Law Distinguished Achievement Award in 2015.

Elizabeth practiced law for almost 30 years, first with the late Willard F. (“Bill”) Kitts and then with the law firm of Keleher & McLeod, where she became the first female shareholder and first female member of the Executive Committee.

As a young lawyer, Elizabeth immediately became involved in the local legal community and began giving back. She was a member of the New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association where she served as Assistant Editor of the Trial Lawyers Journal. She was a State Bar of New Mexico Bar Commissioner for 12 years.