Elizabeth Pankratz

Elizabeth (Beth) Pankratz, 84 of West Chester, PA passed away Thursday March 31, 2022, at Park Lane at Bellingham in West Chester.

She was the wife of the late Richard R. Pankratz, Sr. and mother of Richard R. Pankratz Jr. and Liza Meredith.

Beth was born July 4, 1937, in Milwaukee, WI she was the daughter of the late Walter Friese and the late Marie Pfister Friese.  Beth grew up in Sheboygan, WI and graduated from North High School in Sheboygan.  After high school, Beth went to Stevens finishing school.  Shortly thereafter, she married her high school sweetheart, Dick Pankratz.  In 1968 she and Dick moved their family to West Chester, PA

Beth was a homemaker for most of her life but also worked for staffing agencies on occasion.   She was a devoted mother.  She spent much of her time caring and advocating for her daughter Liza who was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis as an infant.  She loved spending time in Elkhart Lake, WI where they had a condominium.  There she could see family and friends.  She especially loved celebrating her birthday there being a  July 4th baby.

Other than family and friends, Beth was devoted to the Catholic Church.  Beth grew up as a member of St. Clement Catholic Church in Sheboygan.  As an adult, she was an active member of  St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church in West Chester.  She also loved attending St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church when visiting Elkhart Lake.

Elizabeth is survived by her son, Rich R. Pankratz, Jr., grandchildren Madison Meredith and Cole Meredith, and brother William Friese.

She was preceded in death by her husband Dick Pankratz, daughter Liza Meredith, parents Walter and Marie Friese and siblings Walter Friese Jr., Patricia Roden, Richard Friese, Ana Thornton and David Friese.  

Services and Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Arrangements by DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. of West Chester, PA 610-696-1181; www.DellaFH.com.