Elizabeth Lena Schaefer Marston
Elizabeth Lena Schaefer Marston, 92, died Feb. 6, 2013, just two weeks shy of her 93rd birthday.
She was born Feb. 25, 1920, in Valmeyer.
She met the love of her life, Dale Marston, at University of Illinois. They married in 1941, on the eve of World War II, just days before Dale was to report to Washington. They lived a happy life together in Arlington, Va., raising three daughters and one son. They celebrated many anniversaries over their 71 years of marriage. In 2006, she and Dale, now 93, moved to Roanoke, Va., to be near their youngest daughter.
Betty was passionate about needlework, quilting, gardening and food. She always wanted to make sure her family was well fed, and especially loved whipping up desserts. Even as her memory faded over the last two years, puppies, kittens and babies still brought a smile to her face. Seeing her great-grandchildren was a highlight for Thanksgiving celebrations.
The family wants to give special thanks to caregivers who have helped over the past two years: Susan Newman, Twila Meadows and Marsha Vongphakdy.
Survivors include her husband; daughters Susan (Tom) Woodring of Raleigh, N.C., Anne (Jay) Hitchens of Morrison, Colo., and Amy (John) Thisdell of Roanoke, Va.; grandchildren Jenny Oldham, Julie Francis, Sara Brigman, Courtney Scholl, Kristi Marston, Robert Marston, Wendy Hitchens, Caroline Hitchens Agyakwa, Katie Thisdell and Emily Thisdell; and 11 great-grandchildren.
Arrangements were handled by Oakey’s South Chapel, Roanoke, Va.
A graveside service will be held Feb. 15 at SW Virginia Veteran’s Cemetery, Dublin, Va.