Elizabeth Honc Himschoot's Obituary
On Monday, March 10, Elizabeth Marie Honc Himschoot went home to be with Jesus and her life-long sweetheart, Virgil Vincent Himschoot, who preceded her in death on November 10, 2003. Born into this world, daughter of Vincent Joseph and Ludmila Susil Honc, she was one of 9 children: Vincent (Lois), Marie, Aggie (Bill Ruppert), Sr. Vincent & Sr. Kathleen (Jesus), Mila (George Pottinger), John(Lil) & Patty. All have preceded her in death except John and Sr. Kathleen. This causes one to ponder (and smile) at the thought of what they’ve been planning for her, upon her arrival… A child with a Mona Lisa grin, she was raised on Pine Island, Bokeelia to be exact. The house Grandpa built was flattened by Hurricane Charley and remains within the ground upon which it rested – thanks to Uncle Johnny and his bulldozer. She attended a one room school house on the island and because there were 2 boys in second grade and she, the only first grader, completed both grades that year and finished high school in 1939, graduating from Fort Myers HS, 11 years after she began. She took the boat with her family, to Ft. Myers on Saturday evenings and went to Mass at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church until she moved to Ft. Myers with her dad, when he began working for Everglades Nursery, operated by Jim Hendry. She worked at the Western Union as a young adult and met the love of her life on the steps of St Francis. They danced on the cobblestones of First Street until she broke her shoe on their first date. In their courtship he began to talk about, “when we’re married…”. When she said, “You haven’t asked me yet, he replied, “well – WILL ya? Soooo… The rest of the story began on the steps of that same church, January 28, 1942, with siblings and Tom Kelly in the wedding party her cousin, Father Vaclav Adelbert Svrcek, officiating. Once married, they lived in Ft. Myers, and their first baby was on her way when Dad went into Army. Betty(Elizabeth Loretta) arrived when Dad was in Texas and he went to Africa without seeing Betty, and because Mom did not want him separated from his unit,so she raised that baby girl without Dad until he returned when Betty was two and a half years old. When he returned, they bought their first house near the God is Love sign on McGregor. Bob(Robert Dean (Paula)), Jack(John Joseph, who preceded her in death)(Paula), and Jean (Jean Francis (Sonny Dunton) arrived and as the family grew they moved to Page Park where she ran the grocery store when was severely pregnant with Fred(Fred Vincent), Fran(Randy Dorcey) joined the family while living at the Page field house. When her sister’s husband (George and Mila Pottinger) bought land on Sunset Vista Dr., they bought 3 lots and built the house that the rest of family would come home to when born and that Mom would live in until Monday night. While living next to her sister Mila(George Pottinger), Patrick(Freda), Mary(Rutledge, preceded in death by Duane), Kathi(Ken Kensinger), Aggie(Paul Veld) Margaret Theresa, who preceded her in death, and Bernadette(Dan Murray) all arrived. As if that wasn’t enough, she sewed for kids, grandkids, the home for unwed mothers through St. Francis and the St. Cecilia’s bazaar. She cooked for the kids and cousins that routinely gathered at the house. She ran the games at the St. Francis Festival for many years and substitute taught for the Lee Schools during the teachers strike. She worked with Dad at Gulf Disposal and later with Jean at Superior Auto and Towing. She invented things that should be, memorized poetry, loved watching sports, used perfect grammar, made recipes healthier, and enjoyed saying the rosary with Mother Angelica. Mom and Dad enjoyed daily Mass together for many years and raised their children and grandchildren to love their faith. She was an avid reader of alternative medicine and shared her knowledge to those interested. She loved learning and excelled at it life-long. When the house was over the legal limit on sleeping space (and Dad just wanted Mom time), they would retreat in the evenings to the beach house, which in later days became the Woods house and then in 1969 they bought property in the N.C. mountains, where made many memories and friendships with the people of Franklin, N.C. and St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church for thirty years. She also found time to reconnect with Texas Sushils, Svrceks, and Honcs when she and Dad began to travel a little more. Having lived a rich life – she will best be remembered as a woman who loved with no boundaries, for showing gratitude for the smallest of kindnesses and made sure everyone had an oatmeal cookie when visiting – even the paramedics. She was always holding a hand – in photos, when seated with friends or when slowing down in bed these last few days. She left us with memories of cooked apples and those oatmeal cookies baking when we came in from out of town to visit. We grew very fond of her pit crew from Comfort Keepers and beyond, Patte, Laura, Lori, Jessica, Chris, and Faith and we will forever be thankful that they heard the call to come to 832 to join us for this leg of Mom’s journey and for the undying love of our sister Jean who carried Mom after Dad’s death through the last 11 years. Special recognition goes to Frank Amma, Debbie Jenkins, Bobby Cruz, and the Dunton children for their support and love for Jean.All my life I heard, “There’s more than one way to skin a cat,” “Necessity is the mother of invention,” “Ours in not to question why. Ours is but to do or die,” “When duty whispers lo thou must, the youth reply I can,” “You’re on your own kid (my personal fav).” She seemed to know which one to use when, she also knew when she needed to hold us close and when to let us explore. She recognized a need for comfort and a need for independence. If her job as a Mom was to guess right, she was GREAT at it. In these past few months, she added a new one. She told me, “Just say the name of Jesus.” She loved teaching “clap your hands to the music” to the wee ones and feeding the older ones Nonnie Cookies, strawberry jam, and an occasional coffee cake with cherry filling. She welcomed each grandchild (33) and each great grand (50’ish) as if they were the first. She kept a birthday calendar of all those dates but kept most in her head. On parting she’d give the little ones a, “meemeemeemee” and a quick smacky kiss in the ear. She is the only woman recorded saying, after being in the same job (raising kids) for over 70 years, “Honey, it just keeps getting better.” She’s right. All you little and big kids: listen. She figured it out. She never gave up. She chose to do hard things. She stayed the course. She loved and honored Dad. No short cuts. And we are all the benefactors of her choices and sacrifices. Leave the same legacy for yours and those to come.
What’s your fondest memory of Elizabeth?
What’s a lesson you learned from Elizabeth?
Share a story where Elizabeth's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Elizabeth you’ll never forget.
How did Elizabeth make you smile?