Marian Elizabeth Killheffer

Marian Elizabeth "Beth" Killheffer, 64, passed away at her Enfield, NY home on December 31, 2014. She is survived by her partner of 35 years, Peter Panek and their loving daughter, Teresa Panek. She is also survived by her brothers, John V. Killheffer of St. Louis, MO and Ollie D. Killheffer of Evanston, IL and their families.

Beth will be remembered for her stoic determination in the face of adversity, her quiet wit and sense of humor and her incredible work ethic. Arriving in Ithaca from Chicago in 1982 she worked various local jobs including employment at an architectural firm and the kitchen of The Nines Restaurant. Her last and longest position was as senior clerk at the Tompkins County Public Library, an establishment she considered her second home.

Beth's true love, however, was her quilting and sewing. A graduate of Southern Illinois University with a degree in Textiles, she devoted her spare time to making everything from her own clothes to her award winning quilts. She had supreme color sense and was an impeccable designer. She was also a great lover of all types of music, especially The Beatles, whom she saw live three times. One of her pet mottos was "relax and enjoy". Her loss will linger for a long time to come.

An informal celebration of her life will be held in the Borg Warner Room of the Tompkins County Public Library on Saturday, May 16, 2015 from 2 - 4 p.m. bangsfuneralhome.com