In loving memory of
Elizabeth J Kochenbach
September 17, 1930 - November 15, 2023
Elizabeth "Liz" J. Kochenbach passed away peacefully at 93 years young on November 15, 2023, near her home just outside of Seattle.
The daughter of Joseph and Ada (Rutkosky) Riemer of Pittsburgh, Liz grew up on a small farm with her sister and two brothers. After college, she met and married a Navy man John R. Kochenbach (d. 2015) and they moved to Philadelphia to start a family.
She went on to live many lives during her time on this earth, first as awesome Mom to her six children, Mark, Kimberly, Karen, Douglas, Matthew, and Christopher; next as working woman to help support the household; then as talented amateur artist and photographer; later as loving Nana to her six grandchildren, Elijah (Karen), Joshua (Matt), Claire, Andrew, Grace, and Charles (Chris); but most of all as a free spirit willing to let the road take her wherever it may.
While raising her kids, Liz doubled as co-owner for Promotion/Motivation Associates, a successful incentive program business serving the tri-state area. She taught them the importance of a good day's work and how to balance that with a lot of fun thrown in. Swimming in the backyard pool, playing the piano, and singing a favorite song, that was her fun.
After her youngest child finished high school, she was newly single and ready to kick off the next chapter in her life. Mom hopped in the car and headed to the great northwest since a couple of the older kids were out that way. She ended up falling in love with the area and decided to make it her new home, and ultimately her final one. Her time out west included multiple road trips to Portland and Fairbanks to visit family, to Missoula and countless other small towns, north to Vancouver and Victoria (yes they let her back into the country!), and of course to Seattle, the suburb of Bellevue a particular favorite. Let's just say she never met a Motel 6 she didn't like! Along with the move came a resurrection of her love for art and photography, where she became quite accomplished.
She always loved to travel and to meet and make new friends. Don't worry, Mom never forgot her east coast roots and made several cross-country trips too as the children grew up, were married, and had kids of their own.
Fiercely independent and stubborn, these traits helped shape her into a strong, brave woman who raised a large, successful family but also made sure she gave her time to others she met along the way. And who should be surprised that she lived so long after such a fun and fulfilling life!
Liz is survived by her brother John "Jack," her six children and six grandchildren, daughter-in-law Diane (Matt), daughter-in-law Margaret "Peggy" (Chris), and sister-in-law Rosalie Kochenbach (John). She was predeceased by her brother Joseph and sister Margaret Jene.
Mom, go in peace with the Lord now, and let Him show you the way to eternal light. Somewhere in Heaven, there is a place waiting for you! We love you!
Services will be private.