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Elizabeth Kathryn Beers Gittings
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Elizabeth Kathryn Beers Gittings Elizabeth Kathryn Beers Gittings passed away on October 3, 2013. Known to all her friends as Buffy, she lived a joyous, loving and full life of selfless service and good natured fun. Buffy was born in Pittsburh and grew up as the only daughter of Donald R. and Thelma A. Evans Beers. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1951, simultaneously with her Registered Nursing credentials. She immediately began working as a public health nurse in Allegheny County helping the neediest families with vaccinations, hygiene, nutrition and all forms of medical challenges. She married her one true love, William L. Gittings, on July 14, that same year afteer his return from a U.S. Navy deployment to the South Pacific in World War II and the completion of his college studies through the G.I. Bill. After becoming a mother of their only son, Gary, Buffy changed her career to public school nursing fog for the Mt. Lebanon School District. Bill's work transfer to New York City allowed Buffy to return to public health work for Bergen County, New Jersey until her retirement. Buffy and Bill spent nearly eight golden years crisscrossing the USA iin a giraffe emblazoned 42 foot Safari Serengeti motor coach. Highlights were winters spent near Disney World, Florida and motor home rallies in numerous national parks including Zion and Bryce, Utah and Grand Canyon, Arizona. The couple greatly enjoyed being the grandparents of Hilary and Leslie Gittings until Bill's passing in State College in 1996. Buffy then drew strength from the bereavement ministry group and put down roots again. She donated countless hours in committee and dirirect patient work at Centre Volunteers in Medicine and at the Mount Nittany Medical Center Emergency Room. She joined St. Paul's United Methodist Church, actively engaging in discipleship classes, women's circle and adult education. She traveled again with close friends and family revisiting many western sites and venturing internationally to New Zealand and Greece. Buffy greatly loved company and the close fellowship of a week long girls' beach party playing games of dominos or cardss, especially bridge. Just two years ago, she was one of only nine nurses to attend their 60th class reunion at Pitt. Special gratitude is due to a number of Buffy's caregivers, doctors, nurses and volunteers from The Oaks, Pleasant Gap, Fairways at Brookline, Mount Nittany Medical Center, and the Hospice Team of the Home Nursing Agency. Please know how much your gentle and comforting touches were appreciated. Gary and Julie Gittings, Hilary Trethewey and Leslie Gittings and their spouses, Jeremy and Erica, wish to honor their Mom and Nana with a memorial service and luncheon on what would have been Buffy's 85th birthday, November 22, 2013. The service will begin at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul's UMC on College Ave. in State College, Pa. with the Reverend Ed Zeiders and Reverend Eric Shafer presiding. All friends and church members are warmly welcomed to attend either or both the service and lunch. In lieu of any flowers, memorial contributions could be made to CVIM or the adult missions of St. Paul's United Methodist Church.
Published in Centre Daily Times on Nov. 2, 2013
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