Elizabeth V. Lautsch
Elizabeth V. Lautsch, M.D., Ph.D., passed away on March 14, 2011 at Palm Gardens in Sun City Center, Florida. She was 91.
Dr. Lautsch was born in Prarie Grove Manitoba the youngest of six. With her family at the age of one she was taken to what was then Poland. There, like her two sisters and three brothers she became proficient in German, Ukrainian, and Polish.The family returned to Canada when she was eight. She spent the rest of her childhood on a farm. Loving and caring for numerous animals, she developed an interest in Medicine. She went to the University of Manitoba on a University scholarship graduating in 1940. She entered Laval University Medical School and graduated second in her class in 1944 This school was an entirely French speaking school. Upon graduating she practiced medicine traveling to Churchill Manitoba in the most Northern areas of Canada and treated native Eskimos.
She became interested in Pathology wanting to investigate more closely the body’s reaction to disease. She entered McGill University in Montreal to study Atherosclerosis under Dr. Lyman Duff earning both a Master’s Degree in 1952 and a PhD in 1954. Her dissertation was the “Studies of the Histogenesis of Experimental Atherosclerosis.” Her conclusion showed the “undeniable progression of atherosclerosis in the vasculature of rabbits as it relates to their ingestion of cholesterol.” No doubt this was a basic scientific article that led to world wide acceptance that cholesterol reduction was immensely important to good health.
She came to the United States in 1954 taking a position at the Medical College of Pennsylvania. She eventually transferred to Temple University becoming a Professor of Pathology in this Medical School. Over the next twenty years, Dr. Lautsch taught the students there and was awarded many “Golden Apples” for her teaching. In 1968 the students dedicated the yearbook to her as well as to Dr. Caswell. Her love of teaching and her high ethical standards were admired by both her colleagues and her students. After Temple, she taught Pathology both in New Jersey and Texas before traveling to Saudi Arabia. There at the King Faisal University, she developed a Pathology Department for women medical students. She came back to the U.S. in 1985 and eventually retired in Florida enjoying the climate. She died there but her wish was to be brought back to Pennsylvania and be buried among the rolling hills of Calvary Cemetery in West Conshohocken.
She is survived by her dear daughters Victoria E. Halstrick and Jacqueline Denise Moylan (David J., III., M.D.); her loving grandchildren Matthew Washburne (Elizabeth D.) and Elizabeth, Tara and Lauren Moylan; and her great grandson Harrison Washburne.
A Funeral Mass was held on Saturday, March 19, 10 AM at St. Katharine of Siena Church, Lancaster & Aberdeen Aves., Wayne, PA. Relatives and friends called at the Church from 9 to 9:45 AM. Interment followed in Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Simon Kramer Institute of Therapeutic Oncology, 15 Alliance St., New Philadelphia, PA 17959.
Dorothy Worden Ronken
Dorothy (Marley) Worden Ronken of Sun City Center, FL passed away March 10, 2011 at Freedom Plaza Nursing home. She was 101 years old.
Born in Chester, Ill, she later moved to Chicago. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Northwestern University and her Master’s Degree from University of Wisconsin. She was a member of Delta Zeta Sorority.
She taught math at Senn High School and at the time of her retirement, after 40 years of service, she was responsible for Chicago’s pupil testing program. In 1959 she was a delegate to the first White House Conference on Education.
She moved to Sun City Center Florida in 1965 where she became active with Florida Silver Haired Legislature providing guidance to the Legislature. During her retirement, she traveled the world, visiting places like Russia, India, Pakistan and Asia.
She was preceded in death by her two husbands, Howard Worden and Oscar Ronken. Surviving are her son, Daniel Worden and his wife, Lisa, of New Hope, PA; grandchildren Waid Worden and his wife, Bianca, of Ronkonkoma, NY and Wendy Newkirk and her husband, Marc, of Lewisville, TX; and great-grandchildren James Worden and Lauren Worden. Burial will be held privately.
