On February 8, 1968 the Mercer Island Reporter wrote
that “ e Mercer Island High School Drama and Makeup
committee since late November has been studying
and working on techniques for producing e ective and
authentic looking characters for the February 21 through
24 production of “ e King and I’”. e production proved
a smashing success, drawing crowds from all over the
Island (ticket prices at $1.60 for adults) not least because
the drama committee persuaded the teenage pupil in
the lead role to shave his head in a nod to the iconic
performance Yul Brynner had brought to the lm role in
1956.
Elizabeth L. Pagel, who as a student played a central
role in costume design and make-up in those heady days
of drama production at MIHS in the late 1960s, died
unexpectedly at her South Seattle apartment on 14 October
2020.
Elizabeth was born in 1952 to Lloyd and Betty Pagel who
had built a house atop ‘First Hill’ on Mercer Island, soon
a er the second World War. Liz, as she was known to her
family and friends, later attended Island Crest elementary
school, North Mercer Junior High, and then the High
School, graduating in 1970. She was known as a witty and
articulate student, with talents in art and a zeal for drama.
A er High School Liz attended Everett Community
College before leaving early to help her father attend to his
wife and Liz’ mother who had su ered a paralyzing stroke.
Liz then worked in hair styling shops in Bellevue before
opening her own shop on Mercer Island. She enjoyed a
loyal clientele, many of whom were the parents of former
MIHS friends, and who had almost certainly observed her
skills at work in MIHS drama productions.
Liz eventually retired to an apartment in South Seattle.
She doted on her two nephews and was known for her
compassion to those less fortunate than her. In recent
years she could be seen on her own dispensing hot soup
and food from the trunk of her car to some of Seattle’s
homeless community in the Rainier Avenue area. She
is survived by her sister Mary, and brothers Mark
and Alan.
