“At one’s lowest moments, when you want to end it all, you must remember and OVERCOME whatever you’re going through. Whenever I felt my lowest, I would remember those days of being so happy, and it would snap me back and bring me to the reality that I could get through anything I was facing.”
– an excerpt from the book
ARPress is honored to publish “The Trials and Tribulations of Tin Can Lizzie” by Dr. Rita Stupavsky Colasent. This book is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the ARPress website.
Every family has a story, but some stories echo louder — carrying lessons of endurance, love, and faith that outlive the people who lived them. “The Trials and Tribulations of Tin Can Lizzie” by Dr. Rita Stupavsky Colasent is one such story: a heartfelt memoir that celebrates the life of her sister, Elizabeth Catherine Stupansky Seither — known lovingly as “Tin Can Lizzie.” Through the eyes of a devoted sister, Colasent transforms personal memory into universal truth, reminding readers that the strongest hearts often beat quietly beneath life’s hardest trials.
Dr. Rita was born on the east side of Cleveland, Ohio, and grew up with DEAF parents who communicated with American Sign Language (ASL). Life was a lot different for her and her siblings. Rita and her family struggled to survive in an impoverished world and faced many difficulties. TIME was the enemy in their lives because they had to struggle, wondering how they would have enough food to get through the next day.
Dr. Rita’s journey towards higher education was a testament to her unwavering dedication. She juggled her dream with caring for her family while she worked as an interpreter for the DEAF community. Her commitment to her loved ones and her community was unshakeable, propelling her toward her ultimate goal of becoming a teacher for the DEAF and a champion for all children with disabilities. Her passion for serving her community was ignited, a flame burning brightly.
At its heart, “The Trials and Tribulations of Tin Can Lizzie” tells the story of a woman who lived through immense challenges yet never lost her faith. Liz’s life begins in the humblest of settings — a small Ohio home filled with love, laughter, and sign language. Her parents’ deafness, though difficult, taught her empathy and independence early on. The nickname “Tin Can Lizzie,” a reference to her first car and her scrappy determination, becomes a symbol of resilience and optimism. Through war, societal shifts, and personal struggles, Liz learns that survival isn’t about what you have — it’s about what you hold onto.
Dr. Colasent writes with compassion and clarity, moving seamlessly between memory and reflection. She brings to life Liz’s journey through marriage, motherhood, and health challenges — including the trials of the COVID-19 pandemic that would eventually claim her sister’s life. Yet even amid suffering, Liz’s story remains one of faith. Every loss becomes an opportunity to give, every difficulty an invitation to trust God a little more.
In honoring her sister’s life, Dr. Colasent delivers a universal message: that love and faith endure beyond death. Liz’s story affirms that even when the world seems cruel or unfair, God’s purpose remains constant. Her life was not defined by tragedy, but by triumph — the victory of grace over grief, and of love over loss. This is not just one woman’s story; it’s a mirror reflecting the resilience of every family that has faced hardship and still chosen faith.
For anyone who has ever lost a loved one, The Trials and Tribulations of Tin Can Lizzie offers comfort, courage, and perspective. It’s a reminder that grief and gratitude can coexist — that the pain of goodbye is softened by the promise of reunion. Through her sister’s story, Dr. Colasent shows that our lives, however brief, can echo eternally when they are rooted in love.
The Trials and Tribulations of Tin Can Lizzie is a heartfelt tribute to family, faith, and perseverance — a memoir that teaches us that even the most fragile hearts can leave the strongest legacy.
“The Trials and Tribulations of Tin Can Lizzie” by Dr. Rita Stupavsky Colasent is now available for purchase via ARPress Bookstore: