Elizabeth Moritz Obituary, Death – Elizabeth Saunders Moritz, also known as Betty, passed away on Friday, May 12th, at the age of 88. Her parents, Walter Winfield Saunders, and Celia Margaret Isenhower Saunders, gave birth to her on September 5, 1934, in Catawba County. Betty was a well-educated woman, having graduated from Newton-Conover High School in 1952 and earning a Bachelor’s Degree and teaching certification from Salem College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina in 1956.
Betty began her teaching career in the Newton-Conover School Systems in the late 1950s and early 1960s. In 1964, she founded the first preschool in the area for three and four-year-old children at the First Methodist Church of Conover. Betty was dedicated to her job, but more importantly to the children, as she firmly believed in the following quote: “100 years from now, it will not matter what my bank account was, what kind of home I lived in, or what kind of car I drove, but the world might be different because I was important in the life of a child.” She then expanded her program to include a Mother’s Morning Out for children aged six months to two years.
Betty was a passionate community leader and an active member of her church in addition to being an educator. She was a member of a garden club, and several bridge groups, and served as a Girl Scout leader and Cub Scout Den Mother. She was the past President of the Junior Women’s Club, which launched a senior citizens program in the Newton-Conover area. She taught kindergarten and first-grade Sunday school for many years at her church, was involved in her circle and UMW, and served on the Love and Care Board of Directors.
Betty is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, Lee Evan Moritz Sr.; her son, Lee E. Moritz Jr., and his wife Michele of Conover; her daughter, Elaine Moritz Bolick, and her husband, Tim, of Hickory; her daughter-in-law, Debbie Shelton Moritz; her grandchildren, Lee E. Moritz III (Megan), Lindsay Moritz Keisler (Corey), Jordan Bolick Howie (Tom), Jonathan Bolick ( She also had a large number of adored cousins. Betty was fortunate to have had close childhood friends Mabel Lawing, Shirley Canrobert, Ann Holt, and Pat Lawing for almost 80 years.
Betty’s parents, son Michael Saunders Moritz, grandson Matthew Ray Bolick, and sister-in-law Betty Moritz Bulla (Jim) predeceased her. The family would like to convey their heartfelt appreciation to the numerous caregivers who aided Betty throughout the years, particularly Bonnie Wilhelm. Betty’s funeral will be place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church of Conover. Receiving will take place from 9:30 am to 10:45 am prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family begs that contributions be made to the Matthew Ray Bolick Scholarship Fund at First United Methodist Church of Conover, which provides need-based scholarships for the Preschool Program.
Betty’s impact will live on in the countless lives she touched via her steadfast dedication to teaching children, her relentless dedication to serving her community and church, and her profound love and loyalty to her family. Her influence was tremendous, and those who were fortunate enough to know her will cherish her memory for the rest of their lives.
