Elizabeth Harrington O'Donnell, Class of 1952

Elizabeth Brooks Harrington O'Donnell, age 92, of Acworth, Georgia, passed away on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, just days shy of her 93rd birthday. Elizabeth had previously resided in Buffalo, New York, Oswego, New York, North Fort Myers, Florida and also Blairsville, Georgia. Elizabeth was born in Buffalo, New York to the late Emilie and the late Henry Harrington. She graduated from Hamburg High School (Class of 1948) where she met her husband, Lewis O'Donnell during her senior year. She had attended Muskingum College and proudly kept her yearbooks from her time there. Elizabeth and Lewis were married on September 6, 1952 at Wayside United Presbyterian Church in Wanakah, New York. She endearingly kept a photo plate hanging in her apartment to commemorate the special day. Elizabeth's sister, Patricia Brainard, and Lew's brother, Robert O'Donnell, bore witness to the couple's marriage as Elizabeth wore her sister in law Ginny's gown. While raising her three children, Elizabeth received a Bachelor of Science Degree followed by a Master of Science in Education Degree from SUNY College at Oswego. She worked as an elementary school teacher, a reading specialist and a school librarian/media specialist until retiring to Florida. Elizabeth had a variety of hobbies that changed over time including walking, swimming and boating; dancing and dressing up to go out; drawing and painting; volunteering in her local thrift store; playing bridge and other games; traveling and taking trips to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Europe including Eastern Europe to the Black Sea, China, Russia, Finland, Ireland and throughout the US including Alaska; and watching sports especially Syracuse Orange University Basketball and the Atlanta Braves. Elizabeth Brooks Harrington O'Donnell is preceded by her husband of 55 years, Lewis "Lew" B. O'Donnell, who passed away in August of 2007; son, Michael O'Donnell; and grandson, Travis O'Donnell. Her memory will be cherished by her children, Kathryn Hoefer and Daniel O'Donnell; daughter -in-law, Sue Rumer O'Donnell; grandchildren, Bryan Hoefer, Mark Hoefer, Erin O'Donnell and Colin O'Donnell; great-grandchildren, Audrey Hoefer, Blake Hoefer and one on the way (due in July); and siblings, Roger Harrington and Patricia Brainard.

Year of Muskingum Undergraduate Degree
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