Elizabeth (Shaffer) Strauss, age 90 of Easton, PA passed away peacefully in Easton Skilled Nursing Home on Saturday, August 22, 2026.

Elizabeth (fondly known as "Betsy") was born in Orange, New Jersey to the late George Rives Shaffer and Elizabeth (Parker) Shaffer on May 2, 1936. She and her younger sister Mary were raised by their mother's parents, "Dockie & Granny." These caring and supportive role models instilled strong values in the girls. Their dad's second wife "Itty Bit" was a remarkable anchor for the family, intentionally creating space for Betsy and Mary to have individual time alone with their father.

Betsy attended boarding school at Kent Place in Summit, NJ and graduated in 1953. She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Wellesley College in 1958, and then attended Smith College on a scholarship, earning her Master of Social Work in 1962. She married her beloved husband, "Marvelous Marvin" Strauss, in October of 1977, and remained happily married until his passing almost 43 years later.

Betsy worked as a clinical social worker --first as a family counselor and later a drug and alcohol counselor. She got sober, herself, at Chit Chat in Robesonia, PA in October of 1983, and was hired two years later to work in the relapse unit at Chit Chat Farms in Wernersville, PA, where she stayed for several years. As a consistent and committed supporter of AA, Betsy turned her own recovery into a lifetime of service, standing as a beautiful symbol of enduring hope and resilience for everyone she guided as a counselor. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends and playing card games, especially Bridge and solitaire. She had a beautiful voice and loved to sing. Her favorite songs were You'll Never Walk Alone, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, and Sentimental Journey Home. Together with Marvin, she enjoyed traveling and taking cruises. It brings comfort to picture them reunited in heaven, forever dancing to the sounds of classic big band and timeless vocal melodies.

Elizabeth is survived by her stepdaughter Nicole "Nola" (Strauss) McCabe of Bethlehem, PA, her husband John, and their two adult children, Rebecca and Gabrielle; her stepson Eric Strauss of Mountain Lakes, NJ, his wife Tara, and their two adult children, Gillian and Abigail; her sister, Mary (Shaffer) Holder of Fort Myers, FL; her niece, Mary (Holder) Zanowic of Brick, NJ, her husband Peter, and their two adult children, Tom (and his wife Grace, parents of great-grandniece Kerrianne Zanowic) and Matt; her great-niece Alexandra (Holder) Bahl (parent of great-grandnephew Jaxxen Bahl); and her great-niece Ashley (Holder) Gonzales.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Strauss; her parents, George Rives Shaffer and Elizabeth (Parker) Shaffer; and her two nephews, Charles and Rives Holder.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Elizabeth's memorial service at Kirk and Nice Funeral Home, 80 Stenton Avenue, Plymouth Meeting, PA on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at 11:00am. 

For those wishing to join virtually, the service will be livestreamed. Please message Nola or Eric directly to access the link.

In lieu of flowers, to honor Betsy's journey and passion for recovery, memorial donations may be made to: Caron Treatment Centers, Development Office, PO Box 150, Wernersville, PA 19565 or completed online at Caron.org/donate. (Please write "In Memory of Betsy Strauss" on check memo OR online, use "Tribute/Honoree" field.)

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Ascend Hospice. 

Thank you all for your continued love, comfort, and support.