Elizabeth Ann Mahler

ELIZABETH ANN MAHLER died on Tuesday, June 19, 2012, Lynchburg, VA, after extended illness. She was 68. Beth was the beloved daughter of the Reverend Dr. Henry R. Mahler, Jr. and Elizabeth Bagby Mahler of Lynchburg (both deceased); she was born in Richwood, WV, and lived in Virginia and Nashville, TN, until college.

She held a B.A. degree in Fine Art, majoring in pipe organ, from Maryville College, TN, 1966, and an M.A. degree in Christian Education from Presbyterian School of Christian Education/Union Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Richmond, VA, 1967. She came to Lynchburg, beginning her career teaching in Head Start programs, as Director of Child Care Center, and for many years, until retirement, at LAUREL Program, City of Lynchburg Schools. She worked and lived as staff support at L’Arche Homes, Lynchburg, until May, 2010.

Beth, from her earliest days in Lynchburg, worked with youth and was involved in the mission of The Church of the Covenant where she was a core member for more than 40 years. She loved music, art, and literature, and had a passion for nature and animals. She was known for her calm, quiet, self-effacing personality, employing her God-given, God-driven gift for working with youth and people with special needs for her entire adult life.

Beth is survived by her brother, David W. Mahler and sister-in-law Joan Mahler; brother H. Richard Mahler, III and sister-in-law Pix Mahler; nephew Aaron Mahler and niece-in-law Elisabeth Mahler; close extended family Marguerite White, Viorel and Eugenia Botea, all of the Lynchburg area.

Private interment will take place Friday, June 22, at Presbyterian Cemetery. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at The Church of the Covenant, 4415 Boonsboro Rd., Lynchburg, at 10:30 a.m. on June 30th. Memorials should be directed to The Church of the Covenant.

Her friends, who like Beth devote their energies to the needs of life in this community, are many. We are, and have been, blessed.

The inscription on the Mahler Family headstone: Is it well? It is well.