As the 1960s began, Elizabeth and her family had lived in Miami during the failed Bay of Pigs invasion, the Cuban missile crisis, the arrival of the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show, and the explosive influx of Cubans to Miami. Meanwhile, her budding career as a singer allowed her plenty of time for her family.

Now known as Pat Ford, Elizabeth was headlining in Miami Beach at the Deauville Hotel, the Eden Roc, the Seville, and the Americana. She also appeared at the Sherborne, Casablanca and Raleigh Hotels where she shared billing with many comics such as Jackie Gale, Mal Lawrence, Dick Havilland, Rip Taylor, and her good friend, the great dancer John Bubbles (for whom Gershwin wrote the role of Sportin' Life in Porgy and Bess).

One of her favorite hotels was the Algiers. During one of her shows there, Metropolitan Opera tenor, Jan Peerce (a guest and friend of the owner) was introduced by the entertainment director who told the audience that Mr. Peerce had asked if Pat might sing a duet with him. She was thrilled. Even though Pat was a full head taller than the famous tenor, they sang so beautifully they stopped the show. The excited audience demanded several encores.

There were extended engagements at the elite Miami Springs Villas' King Arthur's Court, and the Sheraton Four Ambassadors. And on the bay in Miami, it was 1968 and she was headlining at the David William Hotel/Apartments while the entire company of Sinatra's film Lady in Cement was housed there - many of whom regularly came to her shows.

In the late 1950s, Pat had begun by singing in the chorus for John Price's Palm Beach Musicarnival and appearing in small roles in Carousel, Fanny, Can Can and Annie Get Your Gun. Soon she was appearing in lead roles such as Rosabella in Most Happy Fella for the Deauville Summer Theatre, and as Vera in Pal Joey opposite Steve Condos. She also appeared as Kitty Verdun in Where's Charley? starring Dick Shawn at the famed Coconut Grove Playhouse.

For a full year Pat was signed to appear in the International Follies at the Fountainebleau Hotel's La Ronde Room, starring with Napoleon Reed (of the original Broadway cast/recording of Carmen Jones) and the comedy team of Haller and Barrett.