Elizabeth Garrison - Obituary

lizabeth S. Garrison Elizabeth S. Garrison, a 26 year resident of Edgewater and previously of Washington, D.C. died at her residence on Saturday August 1, 2009 after a lengthy illness. She was 91. Born October 1, 1917 in Council Bluffs, Iowa, she graduated from Mercy High School in Omaha, Nebraska, and received her degree from Creighton University, in 1939, where she was the captain of the Rifle Club. Elizabeth served her country in the United States Navy. She entered the Navy in 1943 and retired as a Lt. Commander in 1964. During her career she worked in Supply and Procurement, and served three tours in Pearl Harbor. Her nickname in the service was “Smokey Stover”. After retiring from the US Navy, Elizabeth worked and retired from COMSTAT in Washington, D.C. Elizabeth was known as the great organizer. He helped to build her home in Edgewater as well as Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church. Elizabeth was an active member of OLPH, serving as a Eucharistic minister, Lector, organist and Religious Education teacher. She retired as a religious education teacher after 30 years when she was 87 years old. Elizabeth loved her community of Loch Haven, where she was a member of the Garden Club. She loved animals, especially dogs and tropical fish. She enjoyed travelling the world, the Rosary Group at OLPH, spending time with friends and family. She was always there to lend a helping hand and was very generous to those in need. Elizabeth was predeceased by her husband Robert L. Garrison, Jr., whom she married November 27, 1971 and who died on August 24, 2008. She is also survived by her sister Margaret Lamb of San Jose, California; her late sister Gerry Sullivan; and her caretakers Donna Gerard of Edgewater, MD and Claudia Stelljies of Churchton, MD. Friends are invited to Elizabeth's Life Celebration on Tuesday August 4, 2009 from 2-4 & 6-8pm at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Wednesday August 5, 2009 at 10am at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 515 Loch Haven Rd., Edgewater, MD. Interment Lakemont Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401 or to the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Building Fund, 515 Loch Haven Rd. Edgewater, MD. Please sign the online guest book at www.kalasfuneralhomes.com