Elizabeth Buchanan Pitt, of Jenkintown, Penn., died March 3 after a brief illness. At the time of her passing, she was over 103 years old.
Elizabeth was the eldest daughter of the late Dr. William and Sara Buchanan, and sister to the late Helen Buchanan and Sally Andrews, who worked and resided all her adult life in Damariscotta.
For many years from the 1930s through the early 1950s the various members of the Buchanan family summered at their cottage on the Shore Road, overlooking Greenland Cove, Bremen.
Born at home in Hightstown, N.J. in 1907, Elizabeth attended local schools, then attended and was graduated from Keuka College in upstate New York in 1929. Up to the time of her death, Elizabeth was Keuka’s oldest living alumna.
Following her graduation from Keuka and after working for a time in New York, Elizabeth returned to her hometown to teach at Hightstown High School, where eventually she served as head of the school’s English Department. She retired after 20 years of teaching, when her family moved to the Philadelphia area in conjunction with Dr. Pitt’s being named Vice President of Finance at the Philco Corp.
An accomplished pianist and dancer, as well as an exceptional teacher, Elizabeth brought art to all she touched. Her presence was a delight to all who knew her. She was a remarkable woman.
Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Dr. Courtnay Pitt, who passed away June 5, 1999.
She is survived by her sons, Courtnay Pitt Jr. and William B. Pitt; grandchildren, Jessica C. Pitt, Whitney B. Pitt and Elizabeth D. Pitt; and great-grandchild, Gavin A. Tramuta.
Memorial service March 7 at Grace Presbyterian Church in Jenkintown.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Elizabeth’s honor be made to Keuka College, Office of Development, 141 Central Ave., Keuka Park, NY 14478-0098.
