Elizabeth Ward Field

Elizabeth “Toni” Ward Field was a loving mother and grandmother and a faithful servant of Christ. She left this world on June 7, 2021 at age 81. Toni loved reading, especially historical novels, and she was a regular patron of her local library. Toni enjoyed working on crossword puzzles, listening to classical music, gardening, English Reformation history, genealogical research, and making her signature desserts for family events and social gatherings, such as her famous pecan pie. She was active in the Episcopal church throughout her life, volunteering and working for the church. She was a great advocate of higher education for herself and her family. She loved her family and friends and she devoted herself to helping others throughout her life and career. She also loved animals, caring for many treasured cats and dogs throughout her life. She was known to carry dog treats in her pocket wherever she went and met many new furry friends and their human companions this way. Toni was born to Bertha Rothermel Field and the Reverend Dr. John Randolph Field on February 3, 1940. She grew up in the town of Princess Anne, MD, on the eastern shore. After graduating from Wilson College, she moved to New York City where she married, became Elizabeth F. Graff, and had two children, Sarah and Leah. Toni worked as the public relations liaison for Trinity Church on Wall Street, and served on the vestry at Saint Barnabas Church in Ardsley, NY. In 1993, she moved back to Maryland to be with her identical twin sister, Susan Field Crosby, who passed away in January, 2016. During her time in Maryland, she served as Executive Director of Annapolis Area Ministries (Light House) for many years, raising funds, starting new programs, and opening and managing several shelter buildings to house and support homeless individuals and families. She also held several other positions prior to retirement, including Executive Director of Patrick Allison House in Baltimore. She also served for many years as a volunteer at Epiphany Episcopal Church in Odenton. Toni was blessed to have a late in life love with Donald Maxson, who passed away in 2019. Toni is survived by her daughters, Dr. Sarah Randolph Graff and Leah Graff Miller, the father of her children, Ralph Lawrence Graff, son-in-law Michael Aaron Miller, and granddaughters Anastasia Field Goro and Asha Evelyn Miller. A funeral service and interment is scheduled for 2:00 PM on July 17, 2021 at historic St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Princess Anne, MD (http://saintandrewsomersetparish.com). In lieu of flowers, please make donations on her behalf to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church (http://saintandrewsomersetparish.com), Annapolis Light House (http://annapolislighthouse.org), or the SPCA of Anne Arundel County (http://aacspca.org). Family and friends unable to attend the funeral in person are welcome to join the livestream at http://facebook.com/saintandrewprincessanne.