Elizabeth Florence (Kennedy) Lagrua

Elizabeth F. LaGrua   November 12, 1937 – October 25, 2016             Elizabeth Florence (Kennedy) LaGrua, 78, of Staunton, widow of Michael Braddock LaGrua, died peacefully in her home on Tuesday, October 25, 2016.             Elizabeth was born in Chicago, Illinois, the oldest daughter of twelve siblings. She attended Immaculata High School where she was a member of the Civil Air Patrol. In 1956 she received the Illinois Female Cadet Award from the United States Air Force. With the recognition came a trip to Hawaii with fellow aviators from 24 different states. She attended Lewis College in Lockport, IL on a four year academic scholarship. She received the scholarship based on top marks on a statewide exam. At Lewis College, Elizabeth learned how to pilot and repair airplanes and was the first woman to graduate from the Industrial Arts and Aviation Program in May 1959. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree, a teaching certificate and a mechanic’s license. In 1959 Elizabeth married Michael Braddock LaGrua. They enrolled in graduate school together at Boston College. Elizabeth wanted to be a pilot, however graduate school at B.C. only allowed women to study at the College of Education. She earned a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology. After graduate school, Elizabeth and Mike, along with their burgeoning family, moved to an Indian Reservation in Concho, Oklahoma where she taught high science. Her job responsibilities included planting, harvesting and canning the food that the Tribal School would depend upon for the coming year. Elizabeth and Mike, along with their six children settled in Chester, N. J. where she founded Westmont Montessori School, which has remained in existence for 45 years. People in Chester remember her as the school guidance counselor at Black River Middle School. She went on to become a curriculum coordinator for the New Jersey Department of Education where she worked to ensure compliance with Title IX. She championed legal rights for women to receive equal educational opportunities on the sports field and in the classroom. Outside of her job and raising her family, Elizabeth became the Head Coach of the New Jersey Special Olympics Gymnastics Team. She coordinated the gymnastics program for The Garden State Games as well as writing the publicity for Feigley’s Gymnastics Team and reporting on the accomplishments of her children. At 40 years of age, Elizabeth went back to school to study the emerging field of computer programming. She excelled at programming and eventually became the Senior Computer Systems Analyst for Bobst Group in Roseland, NJ where she worked until her retirement. After retirement she settled in Staunton Virginia to live near two of her sons in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. She loved her home and her friends in Staunton and was known for her advocacy. She was known as a tireless advocate for peace and justice, anti-discrimination and health care for all individuals. She was an active member of the Augusta Coalition for Peace and Justice, Virginia Organizing Committee and the Augusta County Democratic Committee. Elizabeth was considered an expert on Medicare and the Affordable Health Care Act. She was also active in the Waynesboro Unitarian Fellowship where she served on the Social Action Committee. In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Paul LaGrua, her brother, Tom and her sister, Joan. She is survived by Trish LaGrua of Seattle, James LaGrua of Waynesboro, Thomas LaGrua of Taiwan, Daniel LaGrua of Staunton, Maureen LaGrua of Lee NH, 11 grandchildren, 5 sisters, 5 brothers and many nieces and nephews.  A memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 30, 2016 at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Waynesboro. Memorial donations may be made to Virginia Organizing, 703 Concord Avenue, Charlottesville, VA 22903.