With great sorrow and bittersweet gratitude, the Christie, Van Dyk and Wolfert families announce the passing of our kind, brave and caring mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Elizabeth Roubicek Van Dyk, on April 20, 2024. Born in Vienna, Austria September 11, 1927, almost 97 years ago. Elizabeth, Liesl or Lisa was a child when she and her parents escaped Vienna, Austria to safety, first in Shanghai, China, then, in August 1947 to the United States, eventually settling in Philadelphia. In Philadelphia, she met and married Meno Van Dyk in 1950. Their marriage was filled with time with friends, commitment to Temple Emanuel in Cherry Hill, and cooking and entertaining together, until Meno preceded her in death after 46 years of marriage. Together, Meno and Lisa welcomed three children, Madelyn, Ken and Donna.
Lisa was a stay at home mom, caring for her family, as well as helping with Sanivan Laboratories, the company started and run by Meno. She completed her education as an adult, which, in her childhood, was interrupted in Austria during the Holocaust. She completed coursework for her GED as well as some college coursework. She became an administrative assistant at Jefferson Hospital, Bancroft School, and Melitta USA. She was a dedicated volunteer at Temple Emanuel Sisterhood, Camden County Library, Planned Parenthood and the Alzheimers Association. For years, Lisa bravely shared the story of her family’s survival during the Holocaust with school students in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Elizabeth/Liesl/Lisa leaves behind three children and their spouses, Madelyn and Bob Christie, Ken and June Tracy Van Dyk, Donna and Irwin Wolfert. She leaves behind five grandchildren, their spouses/significant others as well as nine great grandchildren:
Lauren and Joe Reardon and Madison, Ashlyn and Joseph Reardon Kim and Troupe Mickler and Quin and Gray Mickler Ben and Emily Wolfert and Nathan and Joshua Wolfert Jenna and Aidan Thornley and Shae and Gavin Thornley Kaitlin Wolfert and James Rodriguez. Funeral Services will be Monday, April 22, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Joseph Levine and Sons, 1002 W. Skippack Pike, Bluebell, PA 19422. Interment at Montefiore Cemetery in Jenkintown, PA 19046.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of Lisa’s favorite charities, The Israeli Guide Dog Center for the Blind at www.israelguidedog.org, an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of visually impaired Israelis.
She will be deeply missed, but we take comfort knowing that she is at peace, surrounded by light.