Obituary for Elizabeth Jane "Liz" Polivchak
Elizabeth Jane “Liz” (nee Dhayer) Polivchak, 91, of Chardon, passed away Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, at Aultman Hospital in Canton.
Born March 16, 1930, at Cross Creek, Pa., she had been a resident of Geauga County for 40 years.
“Liz,” as she was known to coworkers, retired from Geauga Hospital in August of 1996 and loved life in Geauga County. A rare type of Ohioan, she liked winter and relished watching and feeding birds, and visiting the Holden Arboretum. The beauty of Geauga County was not unlike the coal mining town of Avella, Pa., where she grew up. And though she enjoyed the solitude of country life her connection with family remained strong. Whether visiting her in Middlefield or Chardon, her kids and grandkids could smell her pot roast long before reaching her apartment door.
Whether you called her Liz, Mom, Gram, or Aunt Betty, you were guaranteed to have a conversation with her about sports or music. She religiously watched baseball and football with family and liked dissecting the games afterward. Gram loved attending her grandsons’ baseball games and would talk with pride about the accomplishments of all her grandkids. Aside from an evident love of Polka music, she often shared how much she cherished Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, John Prine and Yanni. When she talked about music, you could tell she felt it deep in her bones.
Elizabeth sought and found God in many places. She wove faith into conversations, not to convince people of God’s presence, but to share that she found Him in the peace and harmony of ordinary life. She’d tune into Billy Graham, the Pope’s masses on holy days, and a variety of televised church services. Most often though she seemed to find God’s presence in music, family, and nature.
For those she loved, she never forgot a holiday and guaranteed you'd find something special taped to the inside of her greeting cards. Although she was 91, we expected her to watch baseball and complain about hot summers ‘til the end of time. And while we’re shocked by her passing, we know she's in Heaven, visiting family and finally drinking an ice-cold beer with baseball announcers Harry Caray and Herb Score.
Elizabeth was the loving mother of Diana M. (Ray) Greene and Donna M. (Mark) Daniels-Gorze; cherished grandmother of Joe (Laura), Ashley (Adam), and Michael (Brianna); great-grandmother of Julia, Owen, Waylon; dear sister of Josephine Dhayer; and aunt of many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Mary (nee Vidilka) Dhayer; and siblings, Patricia Day and Joseph Dhayer.
A MEMORIAL SERVICE WILL BE HELD 1 PM SUNDAY, MAY 1, 2022, AT ST. MARY'S CHURCH BANQUET HALL, 401 NORTH ST., CHARDON. A CELEBRATION OF LIFE LUNCHEON FOR THE FAMILY WILL FOLLOW THE SERVICE.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her name are suggested to the Department of Aging Senior Center, 12555 Ravenwood Dr., Chardon, OH 44024.
Arrangements are entrusted to McMahon-Coyne-Vitantonio Funeral Homes in Willoughby and Mentor.
To leave condolences for the family, visit www.MCVfuneralhomes.com.
Born March 16, 1930, at Cross Creek, Pa., she had been a resident of Geauga County for 40 years.
“Liz,” as she was known to coworkers, retired from Geauga Hospital in August of 1996 and loved life in Geauga County. A rare type of Ohioan, she liked winter and relished watching and feeding birds, and visiting the Holden Arboretum. The beauty of Geauga County was not unlike the coal mining town of Avella, Pa., where she grew up. And though she enjoyed the solitude of country life her connection with family remained strong. Whether visiting her in Middlefield or Chardon, her kids and grandkids could smell her pot roast long before reaching her apartment door.
Whether you called her Liz, Mom, Gram, or Aunt Betty, you were guaranteed to have a conversation with her about sports or music. She religiously watched baseball and football with family and liked dissecting the games afterward. Gram loved attending her grandsons’ baseball games and would talk with pride about the accomplishments of all her grandkids. Aside from an evident love of Polka music, she often shared how much she cherished Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, John Prine and Yanni. When she talked about music, you could tell she felt it deep in her bones.
Elizabeth sought and found God in many places. She wove faith into conversations, not to convince people of God’s presence, but to share that she found Him in the peace and harmony of ordinary life. She’d tune into Billy Graham, the Pope’s masses on holy days, and a variety of televised church services. Most often though she seemed to find God’s presence in music, family, and nature.
For those she loved, she never forgot a holiday and guaranteed you'd find something special taped to the inside of her greeting cards. Although she was 91, we expected her to watch baseball and complain about hot summers ‘til the end of time. And while we’re shocked by her passing, we know she's in Heaven, visiting family and finally drinking an ice-cold beer with baseball announcers Harry Caray and Herb Score.
Elizabeth was the loving mother of Diana M. (Ray) Greene and Donna M. (Mark) Daniels-Gorze; cherished grandmother of Joe (Laura), Ashley (Adam), and Michael (Brianna); great-grandmother of Julia, Owen, Waylon; dear sister of Josephine Dhayer; and aunt of many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Mary (nee Vidilka) Dhayer; and siblings, Patricia Day and Joseph Dhayer.
A MEMORIAL SERVICE WILL BE HELD 1 PM SUNDAY, MAY 1, 2022, AT ST. MARY'S CHURCH BANQUET HALL, 401 NORTH ST., CHARDON. A CELEBRATION OF LIFE LUNCHEON FOR THE FAMILY WILL FOLLOW THE SERVICE.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her name are suggested to the Department of Aging Senior Center, 12555 Ravenwood Dr., Chardon, OH 44024.
Arrangements are entrusted to McMahon-Coyne-Vitantonio Funeral Homes in Willoughby and Mentor.
To leave condolences for the family, visit www.MCVfuneralhomes.com.