Elizabeth "Betty" Vrbancic, 80, Teacher

She was born July 5, 1924 in. Portland, Maine and had been a resident of Lorain since 1946 coming from her native Maine.

Mrs. Vrbancic attended Boston University where she received Bachelor's Degrees in both Physical Therapy and Education. She later enrolled in the Master's Program at Kent State University and subsequently earned her Master's Degree in Education. She began her educational career as a teacher at Saint Joseph Parochial School in Amherst, Ohio; she later joined the Lorain Board of Education and fulfilled teaching assignments at Masson, Boone, and Lowell Elementary Schools in Lorain. She retired in 1981, following twenty-eight years of service with the district. She was a member of the National Education Association, the Ohio Education Association, and the Lorain Education Association.

Betty was a parishioner of the Catholic Church of Saint Peter in Lorain; she formerly served as a Girl Scout leader with the Lakers Service Unit of Erie Shores Girl Scout Council. Her hobbies included gardening, knitting, crocheting, and working with all types of crafts.

She is survived by her sons: Victor B. Vrbancic and Barry Vrbancic both residing in Amherst; her daughter: Susan Crawford of Avon Lake; grandchildren: Heather Garresch, Victor A. Vrbancic, Genai Wacker, Michael Vrbancic, Brittany Crawford, Cali Thomson, and Marc Vrbancic, and great grandchildren: Coltin Wacker, Gannon Wacker, Dominic Vrbancic, and Lily Garresch.

She was preceded in death by her husband: Victor B. Vrbancic in 1996; by her parents: Bruce and Gertrude (nee Kaler) Kirvan; by brothers: William and Douglas Kirvan and by her sister: Margaret Barron.

Visitation will be Thursday from 3:30 p.m. until time of services at 7 p.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel -3224 Broadway - Lorain. The Reverend Alice Elmquist, pastor of Brighton United Methodist Church, will officiate. Private family committal rites will take place in Portland, Maine.

The family suggests memorials in her name to the Council on Aging of Martin County - 1071 S.F. 10th Street- Stuart, Florida 34996.