Elisabeth Harding

Elisabeth (“Liz”) E. Harding (88), passed away peacefully at her home on November 30. Liz will always be remembered for her passion and as a devout and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Born in Austria and soon moving to Marseille, France, Liz and her parents, Anna and Aaron, were victims of the Holocaust, eventually finding refuge in America. At the age of 17, while working at a hotel in the Catskills, she met the love of her life, Raymond B. Harding, whom she married two years later. Liz and Ray were happily married for 55 years, before Ray’s passing in 2012. Ray and Liz welcomed 2 sons, Robert and Russell, who followed in their parent’s footsteps with the same love and dedication for government and all the good it can achieve.

Liz’s lifelong passion for justice guided every chapter of her life. She became a founding member of Women’s Strive for Peace, a leading anti-Vietnam War organization, and carried that same dedication into her professional career. She was a Human Recourses director for several government agencies and was also a devoted advocate for animal adoption and a fierce voice in the fight against antisemitism.

Liz’s greatest passion in life was unquestionably her role as, Grandmother, lovingly known as “Oma.” Nothing brought her more joy than spending time with her granddaughters, Rachael and Maddy, whether taking them to Broadway shows, spending long summer days together at her home in the Berkshires, or escaping to Miami in the winter, Liz cherished every moment with “her girls.”

Six months ago, she embraced a new and treasured role as great-Oma with the arrival of her great-grandson Mason. Though their time together was far too short, she loved him unconditionally.

Liz is survived by her son, Robert (Fran), her two grandchildren, Rachael (Garrett Taverna) and Madeline (“Maddy”), her dog, Shalom, and her most recent addition, her great grandson, Mason Raymond Taverna. She is pre-deceased by her husband Ray, her son Russell, her parents Anna and Aaron and her first dog, Willi.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Sean Casey Animal Rescue or the UJA Federation of New York.