Elizabeth Kokiko (Latimer) Service Information

Elizabeth (Liz, Libba) Latimer Kokiko, of Lansdale, PA died on Thursday, December 17, 2020, at Dock Terrace Senior Skilled Health Care Community / Caring Hospice Services.  She was 91.

She was the beloved wife of 63 years to the late George Kokiko Jr.

Born in Columbia, SC, she was the youngest of five children to the late John Austin and Ruth Kennedy Latimer. Elizabeth moved with her family to Washington, DC in 1930. She attended Westhampton College (University of Richmond) and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1951. After graduation from college, Elizabeth worked at both the CIA and the juvenile court system of Washington, DC where she met the love of her life and future husband, George Kokiko.  They were married in 1953 in Washington, DC.  After residing in various places around the country, they ended up settling in Upper St. Clair, PA where they would spend the next 51 years together until the passing of George in 2017.

She spent her early years raising two children, June K. Amling and Christopher G. Kokiko.  After the children were in their later years, she pursued a Master’s degree in Library Sciences through the University of Pittsburgh.  She became the Children’s Librarian for the Upper St. Clair Township public library.  During her tenure as Children’s Librarian, she developed and implemented many innovative programs that are in existence today. Her legacy has positively impacted many children through the years.  Elizabeth was also very active in The Christ United Methodist Church (CUMC) community.  Among the ministries she was involved with included choir, United Methodist Women’s group, and the library. Elizabeth then applied her vocational skills to a need that the church had, and directed the reorganization of the church library at CUMC. Additionally, her community service included: League of Women Voters, where she served as President of her local chapter, P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization), where she also served as president of her local chapter, and Make a Wish Foundation.  Her hobbies and interests included: needlepoint and knitting, politics, reading, bridge and classical music.  She was also an avid Pirates, Steelers and Penguins fan, and along with George, travelled the world extensively.  Her retirement years were spent at the Cranmoor Community in McMurry, PA.  After the passing of her husband, she relocated to Eastern Pennsylvania to live in the Living Branches (Dock system) Senior Living Community in Lansdale, PA. from 2017-2020.

She is survived by her two children, June K. Amling and her fiancé Paul E. Monarch of Washington D.C. and Christopher G. Kokiko and his wife Jody of Chalfont, PA. She is also survived by four grandchildren; Laura A. Buchanan and her husband Franklin, Andrew S. Amling, Nicholas C. Kokiko and his wife Julia and Ryan P. Kokiko as well as many nieces and nephews across the country.

Her Memorial Service at Christ United Methodist Church, Bethel Park, PA and Interment with her late husband, in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Bridgeville, will be held privately by the family due to COVID restrictions.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the P.E.O. Foundation, 3700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50312. Further information is available at https://donations.peointernational.org.

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