Elizabeth B. Reese, music maker, violin player and lover of all things that were hand-sewn, passed away peacefully, family by her side, on Wednesday, January 7, 2015. Born January 22, 1922, in Hays, Pa., she was the loving wife of Richard L. Reese, who passed away in June, 2000. On their wedding day in 1942, our grandmother made 2 chickens and bread for the bride and groom. She did not attend the wedding, and in fact threw a frying pan at our father, because he was a Methodist, blue-eyed and definitely not Italian or Catholic! They overcame the social morays of the time, and eventually our dad became a welcomed son-in-law. Known as a smart dresser her entire life, she maintained a beauty routine every day. Make-up, hair done, matching top and skirt, black stockings (a must over the white compression stockings) and little Mary-Jane heels, plus jewelry from the 40’s, completed the outfit. At almost 93, she was known at Belair Rehab Center in Lower Burrell as the piano player and social butterfly who never passed up a moment to talk to a resident, the secretaries, the food staff or the gentleman who ran maintenance. She would look for her friend, Dolly, just to sit next to her in the hallway and pass away the hours before dinner. Her room was always meticulously clean and proper, adorned with flowers, doilies and a perfectly made bed. Busy Liz, as we called her, took pride that she played the piano every day and did her own make-up, a must for the social scene. She loved her entire family with all her heart and said prayers as we walked out the door each day. Her rosaries were never far and she made us wear a miraculous medal, pinned to our underclothes, each and every day. Elizabeth was an excellent cook and she and our dad played in a Bluegrass band, the Happy Travelers. She was an accomplished violinist, who practiced and took lessons well into her 70’s. Her love for music was only surpassed by her love for her church, St. Theresa in Munhall, where she sewed everything from the alter cloth to the priest’s vestments. Elizabeth is survived by her four children, Elaine Kray (Roger,deceased) of Gibsonia, Richard Reese (Susan), of Acworth, GA, Melissa Mazur (Fred) of Sarver, PA and Eric Reese (Loreen) of Blaine, WA., as well as eight grandchildren and five great grand children. She was preceded in death by her parents, Nicholas and Louise Carrola; sisters Cecilia and Rosaline; brothers Anthony, Alphonse and Clarence. The family would like to thank everyone at Belair and Heritage Hospice for their love and kindness towards our mom. You are angels in our eyes. Friends will be received from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday, January 11, 2015 in Munhall in the George Irvin Green Funeral Home. Catholic Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, January 12, at St. Theresa of Lisieux Church, also in Munhall, Pa.
