Obituaries

Helen Elaine Wallace Miksch, 92

May 5, 1931 - November 20, 2023

Helen Elaine Wallace Miksch, 92, of Lititz, passed away on November 20, 2023, at Moravian Manor, Lititz after a brief period of declining health. She was the daughter of the late Caroline Heald Wallace and Frank Byron Wallace of Rutland, MA. She was predeceased by her husband of 50 years Dr. J. William Miksch Jr.
DDS, who died in 2006, and her sister Nancy C Harris Giangrande of Las Vegas, NV.

Helen was born in Manila, P. I. on May 5, 1931. She and her mother and sister returned to the United States the summer before the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Her father was captured by the Japanese and spent 4 years at Los Baños prison camp outside Manila.

She graduated cum laude from Oak Grove School in Vassalboro, ME in 1949 and also from Cornell University in 1953 with a degree in Fine Arts. While a student at Cornell, Helen was a member of the Pan Hellenic Society, Pi Beta Phi national sorority, and was the ﬁrst woman to be inducted into the Gargoyle Architecture Honor Society, Cornell chapter, an academically elite group of architecture students, after a “gentleman’s agreement” had prevented woman from being part of the society since 1902. She also took graduate studies at Boston University and the University of Colorado.

Helen’s ﬁrst job teaching was at Linden Hall School for Girls in Lititz, where she met the man she would marry, Bill Miksch. She taught Studio Art and Art History there for 23 years, as well as 2 years at Rothsville and Kissel Hill Elementary Schools and 2 years at Warwick Middle School when it was ﬁrst opened.

Helen and Bill loved history—particularly family history. Helen’s ancestors arrived in Concord, MA in 1635 (almost Pilgrims she liked to say) and Bill’s family was one of the earliest Moravian settlers of Lititz in the early 1700’s. They knew they wanted to own a piece of Moravian history. They purchased what is considered the oldest residence in Lititz, built in 1757 where Helen lived for 60 years. Helen loved her adopted town of Lititz and was a proud member of the Lititz Moravian Church and the Lititz Woman’s Club. She worked with Meals on Wheels and was a guide for many years at the Lititz Museum. She was also a founding member of the Lititz Board of Historical Review.

Helen and Bill had a large group of friends in Lititz they called “the gang” who enjoyed many years of camaraderie, vacations, activities, birthday and Christmas parties, loud political discourse, and playing bridge. She will be remembered for being a dedicated wife, mother, teacher, and friend. She was a voracious reader her entire life, generous to a fault, opinionated, loved engaging with people, and always asked dozens of questions of anyone she met.

Helen was a loving mother to her 3 daughters: Caroline A Miksch Phee, of Gingin, AUS., Alison L Miksch of Manheim, PA, and Nancy E Miksch Smoker of Belleville, PA. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren: Riza M Sukman and Amira Miksch Sukman of Bali, IDSA., Asa A Fritz of Emmaus, PA and Olivia H Fritz of Birmingham, AL, Ian M Jones of Lancaster, PA and Collin M Jones of Williamsport, PA. as well as 4 great-grandchildren.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Helen’s memorial service on January 13, 2024, at 11:00 AM at the Lititz Moravian Chapel in the Single Brother’s House, 8 Church Square, Lititz, PA 17543. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM. Interment will be private in Lititz Moravian Cemetery. Those desiring may send contributions in Helen’s memory to Hospice & Community Care, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125.

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Condolences to the Family

January 13, 2024

Many good memories of the years that Helen and I taught together at Linden Hall. At one point we collaborated on co-teaching an aesthetics course for seniors. It was always a pleasure to work with her.
Joan Norris

December 27, 2023

to Helen’s Daughters:

When your mother taught at Middle School, we ate lunch together and had many enjoyable chats. I also enjoyed regular games of bridge with her in your family home and elsewhere. She was a special gentle lady, always kind and patient with everyone she encountered. I am sad with you and for you. I am very disappointed but will not be able to attend your service for her. Prayers……….
Gloria Anderson

December 08, 2023

I was so sorry to read abiut the loss of your mother. i always enjoyed caring for her-she was a delight! She always kept me up to date on your life Nancy, and I appreciated that . Blessings to you as you grieve this profound loss.
Stephanie Mackey MD

December 07, 2023

Caroline, Alison, and Nancy, I was sorry to learn of your mother’s passing. I believe the last time I saw your mother was at Lititz Moravian but some time ago. Her obituary is a lovely tribute to a truly special woman, who lived a full life and touched many lives. Your father was my dentist when I first moved to Lititz to teach, and I was always glad to be in his and your mother’s company. I’m sure that treasured memories will balance the grief you now bear. Wishing you and yours peace in the days ahead.
With heartfelt sympathy,
Deann Buffington

December 05, 2023

To my cousins and your families, I am very sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. Although we were never very close I always had a warm feeling after the few conversations we had over the years. She was always interested and interesting, upbeat and fun to talk with and so full of pride and love for her daughters and grand children. I regret not finding the time to visit with her at Moravian Manor. As it turns out, my wife and I moved to MM in July into the same building where she lived initially on the campus. We are now at the opposite end of the first floor lobby from where she lived. Please know that she was a very special woman. I wish we had been closer. My sincere condolences
Rich Bender

December 03, 2023

Mrs. Miksch was my art teacher at Lititz Middle School when it first opened (I graduated from Warwick in 1978). She gave me my one and only A that I ever received in any art class for a ceramic piece that was my parents’ Christmas present that year. I was very excited, and it is a cherished memory. Although I didn’t know her well, she was always kind and patient, with a sweet spirit. I also remember her from when I was a member of the Lititz Moravian Church. Her obituary is very moving, and she lived an extraordinary life. My deepest sympathy to her daughters and all of her family. Blessings and peace, Lisa Johnson Gray

November 30, 2023

Mrs. Miksch was a wonderfull teacher and person, I still paint as a hobby and she is responsible for it. I last saw her in 2014 at graduation, where she save a seat for me, since she knew I was attending, she will always be in my heart as one of the best and must special teachears. So glad I had the chance to study with her
Ana Lorenzo

November 29, 2023

My heartfelt condolences to the family! 🥀
Mrs Miksch was absolutely wonderful and loving. She taught me how to drive and supported me in so many ways. I am most grateful that I had her as a teacher and mentor from 1974-1978 at LH. I have many memories that I cherish.
RIP dear Mrs Miksch 🙏🏻❤️
Karen Modersohn-Kluth
nee Modersohn-Evans

November 29, 2023

Helen was a beloved teacher and mentor at Linden Hall. She encouraged many to go into the art field, and she is the reason that I went to college and grad school to study art. She was truly one of my favorite teachers. I was blessed to see her five years ago at my reunion. She was a treasure.
Rebecah Daggett

November 29, 2023

I was very sorry to hear about your mom’s passing. I worked with Helen for many years at LH and even went on a few memorable school trips with her. She was always a very pleasant and genuine person with a wonderful sense of humor! Having visited with your mom last November, I was looking forward to another visit soon.My condolences you and your families.
Claudia Prosack

Visitation: Saturday, January 13, 2024; 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM; Lititz Moravian Chapel in the Single Brother's House; 8 Church Square; Lititz, PA 17543
Map and Directions: Get Maps and Directions >
Services: Saturday, January 13, 2024; 11:00 AM; Lititz Moravian Chapel in the Single Brother's House; 8 Church Square; Lititz, PA 17543
Map and Directions: Get Maps and Directions >