Elizabeth Rose Fenchak

Born March 7, 1940, in Revloc, PA, daughter of the late Richard and Helen Kischel and sister Dorothy Williams. Survived by daughter, Pamela (Saeed - Partner) Gardner, Encinitas, CA; daughter, Sharon (Matt - Partner) Fenchak, Asheville, NC; daughter, Georgianne (Larry) Fenchak, Cary, NC; son, Christopher (Shannon) Fenchak, Lilburn, GA; 7 grandchildren, Isabel, Anna, Jackson, George, Luke, Helen and Parker.

Elizabeth (Liz) lived a life defined by strength, passion, and purpose. She spent 53 years in Pennsylvania where she became an avid Penn State and Steelers football fan before making Athens, Georgia her home for the past 32 years where her love of football continued by cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs.

Liz earned her Diploma of Nursing from Conemaugh Valley Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, her Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a Master of Science in Nursing from Penn State University, where her research focused on geriatrics—an area that reflected her deep compassion and commitment to caring for others.

Her nursing career spanned decades and communities and included multiple disciplines within the field of nursing, including work in a VA hospital, as a school nurse, senior centers and in emergency rooms, psychiatric, geriatrics and rehabilitation nursing.

After completing her graduate degree, she transitioned into a leadership role as a nursing instructor at five institutions in Pennsylvania and Georgia. Her career finished at Athens Technical College, where she taught until her retirement at age 72. Nursing was not just her profession—it was her calling. Liz influenced countless students, serving as a true mentor who was respected, admired, and deeply loved.

Liz lived for travel and adventure and especially cherished time at the beach. She believed in living life to the fullest, no matter the challenge, and nothing ever held her back. A force of nature in every sense, she left a lasting impression on everyone she met. She loved fashion and always looked amazing. She found joy in nature, beautiful flowers, birds—especially cardinals and hummingbirds—and a good game of Scrabble.

And true to her spirit, Liz always did things her way. As she lived by the words: “Never underestimate the strength of a woman with a nursing degree.”

Above all else, Liz cherished her family and friends. She was immensely proud of her children and grandchildren and delighted in sharing their accomplishments with anyone who would listen. Her love, pride, and fierce support will be remembered always.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at the Athens First United Methodist Church at 327 North Lumpkin Street, Athens, GA at 3:00 p.m.

A Final Resting Place Service will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., at the Ebensburg United Methodist Church, Ebensburg, PA by Liz's Great Nephew Reverend Matthew Williams, celebrant. Interment at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, Cresson, PA.

In lieu of flowers, our family asks that donations be made to the GoFundMe page to help create a memorial bench in her honor at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, where her love of flowers and nature will live on forever.

Elizabeth Trail Bench Fund at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia Go Fund Me: https://gofund.me/7e3214dd1.