Elizabeth "Liz" M. Githens

GITHENS, Elizabeth “Liz” M., age 86, of Waynesville, passed away Friday, August 9, 2024, at Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton. Liz earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Ohio State University in social work in 1959 and later earned a teacher’s certificate from the University of Kentucky. She began her career as a student teacher at Dixie Elementary in Lexington, Kentucky. After relocating back to Ohio, she worked as a substitute teacher at several local schools before proudly spending 25 years as an elementary teacher at Mound Elementary in Miamisburg. Liz loved her family deeply and would do anything to help her children and grandchildren. She was very family-oriented, kind, and caring; she was also known for being very humorous and not necessarily intentional. She was always welcoming and eager to host friends and family at her home. Gracious and generous, Liz was delighted to see and chat with others and greeted everyone with a warm smile. She held traditional family values and cherished the opportunity to get to know new people. She took great pleasure in gardening, particularly with flower gardens, and proudly maintained their beauty well into her mid-80s. She also enjoyed worldwide traveling with her husband, family, and friends. Having grown up in Poland, she made several trips back to Warsaw to visit with family and to Piotrkow where she lived with her grandparents. Some of her favorite beach spots where she liked to travel with her husband and family included Myrtle Beach, SC, and later Gulf Shores, AL. Additionally, they traveled extensively across 49 states, starting with a pop-up tent and eventually upgrading to an Airstream travel trailer. Liz was an avid reader, especially WWII history books and novels that were on the best-seller lists. She maintained a tradition of gathering with her retired teacher friends for lunch, a group they affectionately called “The Lunch Bunch”. In addition, the family gathered together for nearly all of the holidays at her home, which Liz always prepared for and looked forward to. Among many things, she will be remembered for her love of animals. Over the years, she lovingly cared for many cats, dogs, and horses. She also made sure the backyard birds were always well-fed. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Richard (Dick) L., in 2021; her father, Stanislaw Piotrowski; her mother, Maryla Krajewskich Piotrowska; and step mother, Winifred Piotrowska. She is survived by her son, Richard A. Githens; daughter, Debbie A. (Michael) Wietzel; and three grandchildren, Halle Elizabeth (Austin) Mercer, Cameron Githens, and Owynn Githens. The family will receive friends 11 AM - 1 PM Thursday, August 15 at Stubbs-Conner Funeral Home in Waynesville. A celebration of life service will immediately follow the visitation at 1 PM on Thursday at the funeral home. If desired, contributions may be made to the Warren County Humane Society. Condolences at www.stubbsconner.com.

Elizabeth "Liz" M. Githens

July 18, 1938 - August 9, 2024