(Jan. 16, 2015 - by Harold Goerzen)  Known for her ever-present smile, musical talents and heart for people—whether next door or across the world—Elizabeth J. Koonce died the morning of Sunday, Jan. 4, at the age of 90.

She and her husband of 57 years, Lester, who went to be with the Lord a decade ago, served as volunteers with Reach Beyond (formerly HCJB Global) for about 18 years before retiring at the Warm Beach Senior Community in Stanwood, Wash., in 2004.

“Elizabeth was a very giving, loving person,” said Reach Beyond retiree Susie Lind who, together with her husband, Dwight, of Sierra Vista, Ariz., visited Elizabeth last summer. “She had great insight into people—their needs and their true character. No matter what was happening in her life, she could find something to laugh about.”

Elizabeth was born in Oakland, Calif., and grew up in Santa Rosa, Calif. She graduated from the College of the Pacific in Stockton and taught fourth grade in Petaluma.

She married Les on Aug. 2, 1947, and the Koonces lived in Santa Rosa until 1986 when they joined Reach Beyond as full-time volunteers.

They initially served at the mission’s international headquarters in Miami, Fla. Les, a World War II veteran and CPA who operated his own accounting practice for 25 years, helped in the finance department. He also eagerly helped staff members with their annual tax returns.

“Elizabeth always laughed at Les’ jokes, no matter that she had probably heard them a dozen times already,” recounted Lucy Gray, accounts payable manager at Reach Beyond. “They seemed to have such a great marriage, a great example to others. She was a joyful, happy person. Earth’s loss is heaven’s gain.”

In the early 1990s the Koonces changed direction, moving to Bradford, Yorkshire, England, to serve at the Reach Beyond-UK office.

“It was a wonderful blessing to have Les and Elizabeth serve with us at the U.K. office,” said Reach Beyond-UK Chief Executive Colin Lowther. “Apart from their excellent work, they were the life and soul of the office, picking up the nuances of British humor straightaway and throwing them right back at us.”

“Elizabeth was such a caring person, and I remember her helping to arrange a baby shower for our then-baby daughter, but first of all having to teach us Brits what a baby shower actually was!” Lowther chuckled. “The Koonces fell in love with Yorkshire and we had great delight in sending them back to the U.S. with a number of CDs of Yorkshire brass bands to remember us by.”

The Koonces then continued their service at the Reach Beyond Ministry Service Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., again helping in finances and personnel, and pitching in wherever needed before retiring in 2004.

“Elizabeth was someone who filled in wherever anything needed to be done,” Susie Lind explained. “She was always ready to have people in for a meal or to go out with friends after a tiring week in the office. She was one of a bunch of seven or eight in Colorado Springs that got together at Betty Shumate’s home for Christmas, New Year’s, Easter or to celebrate our birthdays.”

A lover of music throughout her life, Elizabeth played the violin and led several musical groups, including the choir at Bethel Baptist Church in Santa Rosa (where she was a charter member) and, most recently, the Sandpipers at the Warm Beach Senior Community in Stanwood.

Those who were members of her choirs remember her as an enthusiastic leader who could bring out the best from any group.

“I was most blessed by Elizabeth’s gentle and positive spirit,” added Reach Beyond missionary Ed Giesbrecht. “She had many, many friends who loved to laugh with her. She encouraged everyone around her. We will miss her a lot.”

Elizabeth is survived by her children, Betsy and Bill Koonce, and two grandchildren, Natalie and Allison. Funeral services are set for 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, at the Warm Beach Senior Community.

Memorial gifts may be sent to the Warm Beach Senior Community or the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance in Seattle.

Sources: Reach Beyond, The Santa Rosa Press Democrat