Elizabeth Jacobsen

Elizabeth (Liz) Susan Jacobsen, 69, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, February 14, 2018, while undergoing treatment for Leukemia at UPMC Shadyside, Pittsburgh, PA.   Elizabeth was born on November 18, 1948, in Cleveland, Ohio, the first born child of William and Madeline (Gallagher) Koeth.  At an early age the family moved to Lorain, OH where Liz grew up with her brother and two sisters.  Liz graduated from Lorain Catholic High School, received her bachelor’s degree from Seton Hill in Greensburg, PA, and her master’s degree from Governor State University in Illinois.  Elizabeth excelled at two careers.  First as a computer programmer and systems analyst, where she went on to establish herself as an excellent instructor in computer languages, eventually incorporating under her own company, ThinkTronics, Inc.  Later in life, after receiving her master’s degree, she taught high school math and then moved on to teaching computer science and math at Joliet Junior College in IL, College of DuPage in IL, Benedictine University  in Lisle, IL, Westmoreland Community College, and for the last couple of years prior to retirement, she taught at her alma mater, Seton Hill.  She was proud and honored to be invited back to teach at Seton Hill.  In addition to her career outside the home, she was an accomplished musician and vocalist.  She was a pianist and organist who had accompanied and cantered mass since she was in high school.  Liz was a member of Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, and up until she recently got sick, she continued as a choir member and cantor at the cathedral.   Liz was a member of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, giving freely of her time as the spiritual advisor for the Blessed Sacrament Conference, as well as working at many of the volunteer events, including the monthly food pantry at Our Lady of Grace church.   At an early age Liz taught herself to sew, knit and crochet.  Many of her family and friends are the proud recipients of a blanket, sweater or quilted purse made especially for them by Liz.  When she would paint a room a new color, instead of buying new furniture in a color to match, she would find the material of the correct color and make a slip cover for that furniture.  Liz loved to decorate for Christmas and then open her home to family and friends for the holiday.  Liz met her husband, Tom in November 1979 while they were living next to each other in Harrisburg, PA.  They married in November 1980, and throughout the past 36 years of marriage, have remained the proud parents of three wonderful young men.  Nathaniel, Cleveland, OH, Ryan, Greensburg, PA and Adam, Greensburg, PA.  When asked why she agreed to marry Tom, she always said he was different from other men she dated - he had a job.   When you ask Tom why he pursued Liz, he will tell you he used to catch her looking out her window every time he drove up in his Corvette.  Liz was preceded in death by a young son from a previous marriage, Jamison Zubrick and by her brother Dennis Koeth.  Liz is survived by her husband, Tom, her three sons, Nathaniel, Ryan and Adam, her parents, Bill and Madeline Koeth, Lorain, OH, a sister, Judy (Sam) Robles Lorain, OH, and a sister Jennifer Koeth, Lorain, OH, as well many nieces and nephews.  Liz and Tom really expected to grow much older together, but it is clear that God had other plans.  Her presence here on earth is truly missed by many.  Yet, we who miss her know that she is at rest in the grace of God and happy to be reunited with her son Jamie and her brother Dennis.

Family and friends will be received on Tuesday from 3 to 7pm  at the KEPPLE-GRAFT Funeral Home 524 N. Main Street, Greensburg.

A prayer service will be held in the funeral home on Tuesday at 7pm by the Society of St. Vincent De Paul, Blessed Sacrament Conference.

A funeral mass will be celebrated on Wednesday at 9:30am at the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral 300 N. Main Street, Greensburg. (Everyone please go directly to the church).

Private entombment will be in Greensburg Catholic Cemetery.

In remembrance of Elizabeth Jacobsen, those who wish to make contributions may do so to the Society of St. Vincent De Paul, Blessed Sacrament Conference, Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, 300 N Main St., Greensburg, PA 15601.