Elizabeth was raised on the shores of Barnagat Bay,
New Jersey and spent her childhood sailing,
and fishing on the Metedeconk River.After attending
art school, she lived in the mountains of New York
State, pursuing her career in fiber arts.
But Elizabeth's love of the water and boating influenced
her to seek a new vocation that allowed her to use
her creativity and to be on the water. She began a
new career in the marine canvas trade in the city
of Kingston, NY on the Hudson River. The long, cold
winters of New York made the decision to head South
an easy one. In September 1981, she and her family
sailed down the ICW and "discovered" Oriental.
They stayed in town, living aboard their boat for
a year, before again setting sail for Florida. Thinking
if Oriental was this wonderful there must be even
better places further south. After five months, they
realized that Oriental was home and they bought property
immediately upon returning.
Elizabeth then established Down East Canvas, Ltd.,
an award-winning producer of fine canvas products
for yachts of all sizes. During the years that followed,
she became friends with Larry Gwaltney and his family.
Larry would always tell her to come and work with
Sail/Loft Realty because of her 'local knowledge'
of the area, the Neuse River and the Pamlico Sound.Finally,
when she and her husband Joe, were ready to sell their
business and Joe could retire, she called Larry and
soon joined the staff of Sail/Loft Realty.
Elizabeth and Joe
enjoy their life in Oriental, fishing in the river
and sound, and gardening year-round.
