Elizabeth Ann Balkir

Coleman Funeral Home of Olive Branch Elizabeth Ann Balkir, 77, of Olive Branch, MS passed away on January 30, 2025. A graveside service will be held on February 3, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Autumn Woods Memorial Park (6240 Davidson Rd.) in Olive Branch. Deacon Hank Babin will officiate. Elizabeth was born on March 18, 1947 in New York, NY to Matilda and Edmund Devlin. She lived in Palm Springs, CA for many years and spent her career as a teacher after earning her master’s degree. Elizabeth taught second grade to ESL (English as a Second Language) students. She adored her students and did everything she could to support them, including putting on a local Christmas show and sewing all of the costumes for them. She led the children's choir at her local church for many years and was also a volunteer at a local thrift store that supported animal rescue. Elizabeth loved happy hour with her girlfriends, loved to dance to live music, and enjoyed traveling whenever given the opportunity. She was able to travel around Europe and, in particular, visited Ireland where she embraced her Irish heritage. Elizabeth was a fan of the theater and found joy in playing the piano and singing, with Irish music being among her favorites. She also expressed her love of the arts through painting, especially for her grandchildren, and also found joy in gardening and would often paint her flower pots. Left to cherish Elizabeth’s memory are her daughters, Suzan Stewart (Jeff) of Olive Branch, April Long (Brad) of Washington State, and Rose Gerwig (Roger) of East Kingston, NH; sister, Sheila Craane (Bill); brother, Brian Devlin; grandchildren, Jacob Gerwig, Sydney Thacker (Corbin), Emma Gerwig, Hannah Pierce (Trey), and Joshua Gerwig; great-grandson, Luca Thacker; and the father of her children, Gultekin Balkir of East Kingston, NH. Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, Matilda Sarah and Edmund Joseph Devlin; sisters, Eileen and Maureen Devlin; and brothers, Kevin Paul, Brendon, and Joseph Devlin. In lieu of traditional flowers, the family requests that donations be made to New Beginnings Animal Rescue (www.newbeginningsanimalrescue.net). Online condolences can be posted on her tribute wall at www.colemanfuneralhomeob.com.

Elizabeth Ann Balkir

March 18, 1947 - January 30, 2025

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