College sailor among crash victims
Published on January 31st, 2025
When an Army helicopter collided with an American Airlines jet over the Potomac River on January 29, news reports noted how casualties included 14 members of the US figure skating community. But the college sailing community also had an alumni among the 64 passengers.
Elizabeth Anne Keys, 33, a member of the Tufts University varsity sailing team (2010-2014), was a Washington-based attorney who caught an early flight home to go on a date for her birthday with her long-term boyfriend. Keys was a high school valedictorian and later earned her Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University Law Center.
“Elizabeth was strong and fearless – she embraced life at full speed … She loved deeply and was deeply loved,” her family said in a statement. “She was so fun – and funny! Liz had a sharp wit and appreciated it in others … We are filled with unbearable sorrow and despair at our loss.”
Liz walked on to the Tufts sailing team as a crew in her freshman year. She crewed for Mariel Marchand ‘13, Natalie Salk ‘13, and Charlie Proctor ‘14 over her four years on the team, and coached at Sandy Bay Yacht Club in Rockport, MA, for two summers in college.
In addition to her academic and athletic pursuits, Liz put great effort into building a community of lifelong friends. In lieu of flowers, gifts in Liz’s memory may be made to the Humane Rescue Alliance, the DC rescue from which Liz and her partner David adopted their dog.