Elizabeth "Liz" Susan Jacobsen, 69, of Greensburg, Penn., formerly of Sandy Hook, died unexpectedly February 14, while undergoing treatment for leukemia at UPMC Shadyside in Pittsburgh, Penn. She was born on November 18, 1948, in Cleveland, Ohio, the oldest child of Madeline (Gallagher) and William and Koeth.

While living in Sandy Hook, from 1983 to 1990, Ms Jacobsen was a member of the St Rose Parish and was very involved in the Newtown Newcomers Club and St Rose School.

At an early age the family moved to Lorain, Ohio, where Ms Jacobsen grew up with her brother and two sisters. She graduated from Lorain Catholic High School, received her bachelor's degree from Seton Hill in Greensburg, and her master's degree from Governor State University in Illinois.

Ms Jacobsen excelled at two careers. First, as a computer programmer and systems analyst, where she went on to establish herself as an excellent instructor in computer languages, eventually incorporating under her own company, ThinkTronics, Inc. Later in life, after receiving her master's degree, she taught high school math and then moved on to teaching computer science and math at Joliet Junior College in Illinois; College of DuPage in Illinois; Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois; Westmoreland Community College; and for the last couple of years prior to retirement, she taught at her alma mater, Seton Hill. She was proud and honored to be invited back to teach at Seton Hill.

In addition to her career outside the home, she was an accomplished musician and vocalist. She was a pianist and organist who had accompanied and cantered mass since she was in high school. Ms Jacobsen was a member of Blessed Sacrament Cathedral and, up until she recently got sick, she continued as a choir member and cantor at the cathedral. Ms Jacobsen was also a member of the Society of St Vincent de Paul, giving freely of her time as the spiritual advisor for the Blessed Sacrament Conference, as well as working at many of the volunteer events, including the monthly food pantry at Our Lady of Grace Church.

At an early age, Ms Jacobsen taught herself to sew, knit, and crochet. Many of her family and friends are the proud recipients of a blanket, sweater, or quilted purse made especially for them by Ms Jacobsen. When she would paint a room a new color, instead of buying new furniture in a color to match, she would find the material of the correct color and make a slip cover for that furniture. Ms Jacobsen loved to decorate for Christmas and then open her home to family and friends for the holiday.

She met her husband, Tom, in November 1979 while they were living next to each other in Harrisburg, Penn. They married in November 1980, and throughout the past 36 years of marriage, have remained the proud parents of three wonderful young men, Nathaniel of Cleveland, and Ryan and  Adam of Greensburg.

When asked why she agreed to marry Tom, she always said he was different from other men she dated -- he had a job. When you ask Tom why he pursued her, he will tell you he used to catch her looking out her window every time he drove up in his Corvette.

In addition to her husband and three sons, her parents, Bill and Madeline Koeth, and her sisters Judy Robles, and her husband Sam, and Jennifer Koeth, all of Lorain; as well many nieces and nephews survive her.

A young son from a previous marriage, Jamison Zubrick; and her brother, Dennis Koeth, predeceased her.

Her loved ones say, "Liz and Tom really expected to grow much older together, but it is clear that God had other plans. Her presence here on earth is truly missed by many. Yet, we who miss her know that she is at rest in the grace of God and happy to be reunited with her son, Jamie, and her brother, Dennis."

In remembrance of Elizabeth Jacobsen, those who wish to make contributions may do so to the Society of St Vincent De Paul, Blessed Sacrament Conference, Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, 300 North Main Street, Greensburg PA 15601.

Kepple-Graft Funeral Home of Greensburg is entrusted with the arrangements.

For online condolences and service information, visit kepplegraft.com.