WILMINGTON – Elaine Keiser, 62, of Wilmington, died Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center.
Mrs. Keiser was born April 14, 1954, in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, daughter of the late Blaine Gjurich and Elizabeth Georgi Gjurich.
She earned her degree in education from the University of Pittsburgh in 1976 and began her career in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. She and her husband Bill relocated to Wilmington in 1982, and she continued to teach at several schools in the New Hanover County school system, including Forest Hills Elementary, Carolina Beach Elementary and Mary C. Williams.
Mrs. Keiser was extremely proud of her profession and passionate about teaching. She was engaged with her students in and out of the classroom and would often attend plays, recitals and sporting events to cheer her children on.
She was also a devoted and loving mother to her son Tom.
She loved the beach, her hummingbirds and reading books with her cat Nala by her side. She also enjoyed her Friday coffee with her friends at the Magic Beans, growing flowers and attending NC State football games. She touched so many lives while with us and will be sadly missed by all.
She is survived by her husband of 37 years, William “Bill” Keiser; son, Thomas Keiser of Raleigh; three brothers, Blaine Gjurich of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, John Gjurich and wife Valerie of Johnstown, Pennsylvania and Thomas Gjurich of Lancaster, Pennsylvania; sister, Susanna Gjurich of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; nephew, Nick Gjurich; and two nieces, Jennifer Boots of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania and Sarah Keiser of Lyndora, Pennsylvania.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, August 25, 2016, at Andrews Valley Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Elaine’s memory may be made online or by mail to the American Lung Association, Donation Processing Center, PO Box 7000, Albert Lea, MN 56007-8001.