Elizabeth A. Reece, 76, of Palm Desert, passed away Monday, Jan. 19, 2009, in Palm Desert after a long illness.

She was born Nov. 4, 1932, to Anthony Seifert and Marie Smith in Wadsworth, Ohio. She worked as a drafting assistant, a waitress, a bartender, in retail sales, an insurance agent and a caterer. She graduated in 1950 from Wadsworth High School, and later moved to California in the 1950s.

Her interests were oil painting, cooking and world travel (to more than a dozen countries).

She was a member of the American Legion Post 800 in Idyllwild; the VFW Auxiliary in Modesto; and Goldstar Wives.

Forest Lawn Cathedral City is in charge of arrangements.

She is survived by her daughter, the Rev. Lynn Reece, HMC, USN Ret. of Palm Desert; her life companion of 45 years, Harold “Jeff” Jeffery of Palm Desert; a son, Bryan Reece, AW1 USN Ret. (Debby) of Fort Worth, Texas; a grandson, Daniel of Fort Worth, Texas; a sister, Agnes Dreka of Wadsworth, Ohio; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by husbands William Usnik, Corporal, USA, KIA Korea (deceased 1951), and Hubert J. Reece, ABCM USN Ret. (deceased 1974); a daughter, Karen (deceased 1999); and a brother, Joseph Seifert.

Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the American Heart Association, 1710 Gilbreth Road, Burlingame, CA 94010-1795, or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718,
 Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.