Elizabeth Moss

January 23, 1919 ~ August 6, 2015

Elizabeth Wolchick Moss passed away peacefully at her home in Sequim on August 6, 2015 with the same strength, grace and good humor she showed throughout her life of ninety-six years.

?Elizabeth (better known as “Liz”) was born in Jeannette, Pennsylvania,on January 23, 1919, the daughter of Theodore Wolchick and Mary Herrick. She was one

of six children; five sisters and a brother.

She attended public schools in Jeannette, Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in Philadelphia and University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio, where she

became a Registered Nurse Anesthetist.

Liz joined the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps during

World War Two. During her nine and a half years of active duty Liz served in various Naval Hospitals and a hospital ship. At the end of the War, she was attached to the Hospital Ship USS HAVEN where she assisted in the release of the American and allied prisoners of war that had spent four years in captivity near the city of Nagasaki. During this event she became the first western woman to enter that city after the atomic bombing.

In 1953, Liz transferred from active duty to the Naval Reserve in order to marry a young Coast Guard Officer who had been one of her patients at the Corpus Christi, Texas, Naval Hospital.

She continued her nursing career in the private sector until she and her husband, Captain Robert Moss, U.S. Coast Guard, retired to Port Ludlow, Washington, before settling in Sequim.

Elizabeth leaves her husband of 63 years, Capt. Robert Moss; their three daughters, Susan Blenk of Sequim, Washington, Ley Schleich of Anchorage, Alaska, and Nancy May-Olsen of Bow, Washington; and six grown grandchildren living in Washington State, New York State, California and Alaska. She is also survived by sisters Vera Leak, Verna Morrison, and Ruth deLeon.

It is with both sadness and joy that we share this news. Sadness because we must go on with only her beautiful memory to sustain us. Joy because Liz has gone on to add her loving presence to a more beautiful and lasting realm.

As she was throughout her life, Liz was surrounded by the love of her family and friends during these last days and hours. She was at peace, free from pain and anxiety and happily anticipating her next adventure.

A celebration of life will be scheduled for a future date.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice.