Elizabeth Lee (Gillan) Witte

Elizabeth Lee Witte (nee Gillan), was born in Baltimore, Md., on September 22, 1927. She resided there until 1967, moved to Woodlawn until 1977 and then lived in Ellicott City. She passed quietly and peacefully on November 12, 2016 after battling dementia for several years. She was married to her beloved Louis C.until his death in 1994 and is survived by her beloved children, Louis C. Witte Jr. of Ocean City, Md. and Patricia L. Williams of Ellicott City, Md. She left behind a myriad of close, dear lifelong friends, many considered “family” and to whom she was known as ‘Betty’.

In the 1950’s, she worked temporarily at the downtown Baltimore Post Office during the Christmas season,; later employed at Montgomery Ward and eventually worked at the Woodlawn Social Security Adm. as a supervisor until her retirement.

Always known to be a lady of warmth and a giving nature, nothing made her happier than a house full of people sitting around her table filled with an abundance of delicious homemade food and a variety of homemade baked desserts. She was a Girl Scout leader and a Vacation Bible School teacher, a foster parent to 3 infants,

She loved nature and animals and always made sure the birds were fed and sheltered.Throughout her life there was almost always a dog present, all of which became family members. The Great Dane and 3 consecutive dachshunds were standouts. Her precious Dachshund, Willy, was so much a part of her life and became her world from day 1. Often times, the first thing people would say upon greeting her was, “How is Willy?” They had a very special bond and understood everything and nuance about each other.

Some hobbies included bird watching, reading, baking, gardening and travel. She was a member of a bowling team and a ladies neighborhood card club for many years. Her travels included locations far and near, enjoying day trips with the family often for fun and educational purposes. Longer trips took her to Florida to visit family and friends, A cruise to Bermuda and abroad to Germany, Austria,Italy, Switzerland and Leichtenstein with her husband. She traveled with her daughter to the former 6-Republic Yuogoslavia and also to Germany.

In 1954 the Orioles came to town and she was there at the parade with the family to welcome them back! She remained a true Orioles, Colts and Ravens fan her entire life. You could find her at Memorial Stadium her children in tow and meeting friends to make it ‘a day’!

Mrs.Witte and her husband both were loyal lifelong friends to grade school and high school classmates, keeping in touch and spending many wonderful occasions together: Ocean City, Florida, Pennsylvania and 1964 World’s Fair, local beaches, Thanksgiving dinners,and Christmases, weddings and baby showers, New Year’s parties… all planned and enjoyed by all.  Christmas was a particularly special time and passion for Mrs. Witte and her family. She enjoyed the joy of giving, and give she did!  She sometimes shopped in New York to get special gifts and while there went to Radio City Music Hall and Luchow’s German Restaurant and Tavern on the Green.  Her love of all things Christmas in a tasteful and reverent fashion was abundant. She was proud of her old fashioned, Old World tree which was decorated lovingly with her family. She basked in the joy of visitors eating her yummy desserts. A tradition of attending the local Christkindlmarkt  was a favorite way she began celebrating the holiday season. Advent calendars and stollen were musts every year too. Walking into her home turned into magic as you could smell cinnamon, balsam and other spices, baked goods,turkey and see the house aglow with lights and greenery. She always worked hard on her gift wrapping skills too, making each personal for the recipient.

First and foremost, her family came first, but she was very generous, warm, loyal and loving to all , a lovely lady inside and out. She adored children and babies and some had come to consider her an adopted grandmother. Fun, supportive and loved by many people, full of joy, charity and faith.