Elizabeth Mary Liz Rowley Gaffney, May 02, 1922 — December 14, 2017

Obituary for Mrs. Elizabeth “Mary Liz” Rowley Gaffney Mrs. Elizabeth “Mary Liz” Rowley Gaffney, 95 of Elberton, passed away December 14, 2017 in Augusta, Ga. , following an illness. She was born May 2, 1922 in New York City, but was adopted as an infant and raised in Medina, New York.

She later attended and graduated from the Emma Willard School, a private boarding school in Troy, New York. During World II, Elizabeth enlisted in the U.S. Army and was trained as a stenographer, deploying to Europe where she was assigned to the Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF) in Versailles, France. While there, she witnessed history firsthand.

One day, a fellow stenographer handed her a message off the Teletype machine. It was a message from the German High Command announcing the surrender of the Axis Powers and the end of World War II in Europe. Following the surrender, she moved eastward with the command for occupation duty in Berlin, Germany.

Eventually, her tour of duty overseas was completed and she returned to the United States and left military service. Shortly after returning to civilian life, Elizabeth met and later married John S. Gaffney of Attica, New York. They started their family in Attica, raising four sons there.

She was active in her church and in the community, particularly in youth sports. In 1976, the family moved to Elberton as a result of an assignment by her husband’s employer, Martin Fireproofing, and has lived there since that time. She was preceded in death by her husband, John, in 1998; by a son, Thomas, in 2001; and by a great granddaughter, Hope in 2016.

She is survived by her son, Michael, of Elberton; her son, John, of Carson City, Nevada; her son William, of Eatonton, Georgia; three granddaughters; and one great granddaughter. A service to celebrate her life was held on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at 11:00am in The Chapel of Hicks Funeral Home with Rev. Dr. Alex W. Williams officiating.

A time of visitation began at 10:00 am just prior to the service. Interment followed in Elmhurst Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the First Presbyterian Church 154 South McIntosh Street P.O. Box 185 Elberton, Ga 30635.

Arrangements for Mrs. Elizabeth Rowley Gaffney were in the care of Hicks Funeral Home and Cremation Service. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Mrs. Elizabeth “Mary Liz” Rowley Gaffney please visit our Sympathy Store.

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