Elizabeth Solliday Courtney, 81 of Greensburg, died peacefully Monday, July 2, 2018 at home. Born in Waynesboro Pennsylvania on October 30, 1936, Elizabeth was the daughter of the late Benjamin Hubert Solliday and Elizabeth Kremer Solliday. She grew up in Hagerstown Maryland and spent her summers in Annapolis Maryland.
She graduated from Beaver College, now known as Arcadia University, and attended the University of Maryland graduate school concentrating in Russian history. In 1959, she married the love of her life Dr. William B. Courtney. While Dr. Courtney was an obstetrics and gynecology resident at Wake Forest School of Medicine, Elizabeth taught at Wake Forest University in the education department focusing on children with special needs.
In 1963, Elizabeth and Bill move to Greensburg. She became involved in many organizations. While a member of the Greensburg College Club, she served as chairman of the Scholarship Committee.
She served as a Girl Scout leader and start “quest for excellence” in recognition of all scouts from brownies through senior scouts. Elizabeth was the first woman to serve on the Greensburg YMCA Board of Directors. She also served on the Board of Directors of the Westmoreland County Historical Society.
Elizabeth was a member of the Phoebe Bayard Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Elizabeth’s love of golf started at a young age and continued all her life. When her children were growing up, Elizabeth co-chaired the junior golf program at the Greensburg Country Club.
She enjoyed encouraging the love of golf in many young golfers. Some of them still refer to her as the “mom of golf”. In 1989, Elizabeth combined her knowledge of art, history, and teaching by applying and being accepted to the Docent Program at the Carnegie Museum of Art.
She completed the requirements to become a certified docent in 1990. Elizabeth gave many tours, and particularly enjoyed giving the annual tours of the Presepio. One summer she was invited to be a docent at Falling Waters and felt honored to be a part of the Falling Water Program.
During these years Elizabeth began developing a lecture series on Faberge and Tiffany. She presented this series to museums, clubs, and colleges. In 1990 she became a member of the 20th Century Club in Pittsburgh.
After Dr. Courtney retired, Elizabeth and Bill travelled to many and varied places including: Africa, Australia, China, New Zealand, and Russia. They also enjoy participating in Pennsylvania Forestry meetings and activities. In addition to her loving husband, Elizabeth is survived by her children: Beth Courtney Carlson and her husband Andrew of Summit N.J. and their children AJ of NJ and Lisa of Florida; Bill Courtney and wife Leigh of Minneapolis, MN and their children Elizabeth, Catherine, and Carolyn; and Tyler Courtney of Greensburg and his children Ty, Maddie, and Kenzie.
Honoring Elizabeth‘s wishes there will be no public visitation. A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 11, 2018 at 10:30am at the First Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church Building Fund 300 S. Main Street, Greensburg, PA 15601 or to Excela Hospice 532 W. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg, PA 15601.
KEPPLE-GRAFT Funeral Home of Greensburg is entrusted with the arrangements.
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