Dr. Elizabeth Webber Gratz

Elizabeth Webber Gratz, (Libby) 90, of Newburg, PA and Florence, AZ died on October 21, 2017. She was preceded in death by her late husband Dr. Jerre E. Gratz. Born April 11, 1927 in Newville, PA, she was the daughter of the late Alfred and Bertha Morrison Webber.

Elizabeth was a 1945 graduate of Newville High School. In 1949 she received a B.S. in Education from Shippensburg State Teachers College; in 1960 a MED from the University of Houston and in 1975 a PhD from the University of Iowa.

She is survived by her daughter, Kathleen Gratz and her son Michael Gratz and his wife Nancy Roberts of Florence; grandson James R. M. Bradford Sr., great grandchildren, James R. M. Jr., Emma, and Jerrett Bradford, Tempe, AZ; step grandsons Alex Roberts and his wife Erica of Chandler, AZ and Simon Roberts of Scottsdale, AZ and six step great grandchildren, Cole, Ellison, Courtney, Cameron, Jackson and Abbigail Roberts.

Libby’s surviving siblings include Harold Webber, Mechanicsburg, PA, Dorothy Reese, Carlisle, PA, Richard Webber, Sr. and his wife Norma, Newville, PA. Other survivors include sisters-in-law JoAnne Gahres, Dillsburg, PA, Winfred Webber and Phyllis Webber, Newville, PA, brother-in-law Glen Hueholt, White Haven, PA, and many nieces and nephews. Libby was preceded in death by brothers Frederick, Donald, Marlin and Robert Webber and sister Lois Webber Hueholt.

A lifelong educator, Elizabeth taught in Pennsylvania schools in Centerville, Lemoyne, Lower Allen and Shippensburg. She also taught high school in Flagstaff, AZ and West High School in Iowa City, IA. In 1992 after 20 years of teaching at the University of Texas-Pan American, Edinburg, Texas, she retired as Professor Emeritus.

After her retirement, she and her husband Jerre divided their time between Newburg and Florence. They enjoyed attending Elderhostels and traveled throughout the United States and Europe.

A memorial service will be held; the date to be announced.