WILMINGTON — Elizabeth Unie Engelmann, 93, passed away peacefully Tuesday, March 21, 2017.
Elizabeth was born June 22, 1923, in St. Petersburg, Fla., daughter of James Jasper McIrvin and Unie Thompkins McIrvin. She attended Stetson University, Deland, Fla., where she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta Sorority.
She married John A. Engelmann in 1944. They were happily married for 61 years until retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Engelmann’s passing in 2005.
Elizabeth was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Rome, N.Y., where she served as an elder. After moving to Wilmington, N.C., she became a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Wilmington. She was a member of Chapter A.U., PEO in Rome, N.Y., and a member of the Dogwood Twig, a volunteer group of the Rome Memorial Hospital. She was also a member of the Wednesday Morning Club and a volunteer at the Rome State School for the deaf. She was an active volunteer in the Meals on Wheels Rome.
Elizabeth lived in both Japan and England with her husband, an officer in the U.S. Air Force, and her family. She enjoyed traveling both in Europe and throughout the United States. Upon returning to the United States, John and Elizabeth made their home in Rome, N.Y., for 44 years before moving to the retirement community of Plantation Village in Wilmington, N.C.
Elizabeth was an avid reader throughout her life and was ever grateful to the NC State Library for the Blind that enabled her to continue reading in her later years.
Elizabeth is survived by two daughters, LizAnn Flint of Burgaw, N.C., and Dorothy Bowers of Aiken, S.C.; son, Dr. John A. Engelmann Jr. of High Point, N.C.; five grandchildren, Dylan Flint, Josh Flint, Shannon O’Shea, Christopher Bowers and Jesse Bowers; great-grandchildren; sister, MaryAnn Jones of Bradenton, Fla.; and a brother-in-law, John Allgaier of Lutz, Fla.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, March 24, at Andrews Mortuary Market Street Chapel. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 25, at First Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, N.C., with the Rev. Dr. Charles Lee officiating. Interment will follow in Riverview Memorial Park, Burgaw, N.C.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 108 West Court St., Rome, NY, 13440; First Presbyterian Church, 125 South Third St., Wilmington, NC, 28401; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; or a charity of your choice.