Elizabeth Vomacka

Elizabeth was born in Stadtkyll, Germany in 1926. Her father came to America looking for work. He was processed for entry at Ellis Island. After working as a mason and carpenter for two years he saved enough money to bring his family to America.

Elizabeth was four when she and her two brothers and mother took the big boat trip to the United States. On the ship, Elizabeth was almost lost at sea. Some sailors were throwing candy down to the children on the decks below. Elizabeth reached over the railing for candy, fell, but was saved by a sailor who grabbed her petticoats.

Attending school was challenging until she learned how to speak English. In high school Betty (as she was known) excelled in the arts, particularly drawing and painting. She was also quite athletic. She was the first girl in her school that played basketball running up and down the whole court, something she learned from her brothers; although was shunned upon in girls’ basketball at that time.

In Oswego State University she would join her friends on the beach partaking in gymnastic balance poses. Elizabeth loved dancing and as President of her sorority she borrowed her sisters’ gowns and attended all the social balls held at the University.

A friend introduced Elizabeth to her future husband. She didn’t just fall for him…she literally fell on him as he slid into her at second base in a sorority/fraternity softball game. She married John her senior year. The university had no housing for married student couples so they completed their degrees while living in a tent during the summer, how romantic. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Education with a minor in art.

Shortly after teaching 3rd grade in Valley Stream, N.Y., Elizabeth and John started their family. They had three children and would have celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary this June. Elizabeth loved having children and chose to stay home when they were young. Her most joyful moments were when she was with her kids, watching them experience their ups and downs, guiding them through life’s choices, and feeling great pride in being their parent as they matured into successful adults.

As her children got older Elizabeth returned to the workforce. She had a teaching assistant position at Garden City Pre-school, and then became a lead teacher in Nassau County’s first Day Care Facility. Elizabeth then worked in a Civil Service position as a recertification classifier until she retired.

John and Elizabeth retired to Largo, Florida. They were avid international travelers and vacationed in England, Germany, Ireland, Dublin, Canada, Mexico, Panama, Acapulco, and Australia.

In retirement, Elizabeth found time to volunteer at the Morton Plant Hospital Sewing Room, where she was known for not only knitting newborn caps, but for drawing different faces on the dolls that were sewed. She also taught art to intellectually challenged students in Largo.

Elizabeth was passionate about swimming. It gave her the freedom she no longer had due to her arthritis. Every warm evening after 6 P.M. you could find the after dinner swimming group exercising in the pool and discussing politics and current events. A lot of laughter came from these gatherings.

To keep herself busy throughout the day and evenings, Elizabeth would play cards with friends nearby, bingo, or join in on the fun at the Villa De Golf Clubhouse. To follow her art passion, she took water coloring classes and was fond of drawing people, animals, flowers and old buildings seen in her daily travels.

Yes, our mother had a full life and really enjoyed living it to her fullest capabilities. The love and pride she felt for her children was also felt for her. Our hearts are heavy now but will lighten with all the memories we have of her laughing, being comical, cooking, family gatherings and living life to the fullest. Her friends and family will miss her every day and will keep a warm place for her in their thoughts and hearts.

Elizabeth is survived by her children Edward, Jill and William and grandson Morgan. A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 20th, 2012, at the Moss Feaster Funeral Home. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the American Breast Cancer Association. Condolences can be emailed to: wwwmossfeasterlargo.com or mailed to the Vomacka Family at 250 Walnut Road, Glen Cove, N.Y., 11542.

Arrangements were made under the direction of Moss "Feaster Funeral Home,1304 Indian Rocks Road, Largo, FL 33774, 727-562-2080.