Elizabeth Anna Vaux Packard of Acton died peacefully at home with her family on January 26, 2025, after entering hospice at the end of December 2024.
Liz was born on November 12, 1938. Liz was baptized at Fifth Presbyterian Church and grew up the third of four children in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh. She went to public school through third grade but finished her schooling at The Ellis School for girls, graduating in 1956. While at Ellis, Liz volunteered at St. Elizabeth Hospital. In 1960, she graduated from Lake Forest College with a bachelor’s in French and a minor in German.
After graduation, Liz toured Europe and visited with her sister Barbara, whose husband, David, was stationed at Wiesbaden, Germany. Returning to Pittsburgh, Liz worked at U.S. Steel as a proofreader until she married Duane on August 26, 1961. Liz and Duane started their family in the Morningside neighborhood of Pittsburgh while Duane attended graduate school. Duane’s work moved the family to Galion, Ohio; a short stint in Varberg, Sweden; Worthington, Ohio; Montclair, New Jersey; and finally, Acton. Wherever Liz went, she volunteered at the local hospital. She also volunteered as a Cub Scout leader, Sunday school superintendent, church paper editor, and public school library assistant.
While in Montclair, Liz started her library career working at the Bellevue Avenue branch of the Montclair Public Library. After moving to Massachusetts, she worked at the Concord Free Public Library, rising to the newly created position of circulation supervisor. She retired in 1999 after 15 years of service.
Liz loved family, grandchildren, playing bridge, games (especially word games), puzzles (especially word search), travel, cruising, collecting souvenir spoons, music, books, and art.
Liz was a wonderful sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She brought her joy, laughter, encouragement, generosity, and hospitality to everyone.
Liz is survived by her loving husband Duane; her children Robert Packard of Pittsburgh, Bruce Packard and his wife Heather of Concord, and Anne McWilliams and her husband Fred of Concord; and her grandchildren Sarah Carlson and husband Cyrus of Nakatsugawa, Japan, and Paige Packard, Freddy McWilliams, Eric McWilliam, and Meg Packard, all of Concord. Liz is also survived by her brother James Vaux and wife Mary of Palm City, Florida and sisters Barbara Howell of Newport News, Virginia and Mary Cassady of Lansdale, Pennsylvania.
Family and friends will gather for visiting hours from 4-7 p.m. on February 21, 2025, at the Acton Funeral Home, 470 Massachusetts Avenue, Acton. A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. on February 22 at St. John Lutheran Church, 16 Great Road, Sudbury.
Donations to Lutheran World Relief or Emerson Hospital are suggested in lieu of flowers. To view Liz’s online obituary, visit actonfuneralhome.com.
