Elizabeth Marie (Reinert) Sterley-Houlihan

Elizabeth M. (Reinert) Sterley-Houlihan, 77, died peacefully on September 27, 2023, in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her loving family and her constant companions Chispa and Dobby.   She was the loving wife of Robert J. Houlihan whom she married on June 18, 2011.  Born in Reading, she was the daughter of the late Walter and A. Mary (Hartman) Reinert. 

She is survived by her children: Denice DeAntonio, Fleetwood; Mark L. Sterley (Stephanie), Sinking Spring: and Angela Deysher (Jeremy), Fleetwood, as well as her stepchildren: Carol Houlihan, Harrisburg; Robert D. Houlihan (Joleen), Denver, CO and Helene Smith (Greg), Los Angeles, CA.

She was loving referred to as “Me-mow” by her 10 grandchildren: Andrea, Christopher, Marcantonio, Robert, Matthew, Olivia, Jacob, Maya, Gavin, and Ellington plus her 5 great-grandchildren: Eliza, Charlotte, Paityn, Rafael, and Benicio. 

Growing up in East Reading, Elizabeth graduated from Reading High in 1963. Her summers were spent with her friends at the East Reading Swimming Pool, many of whom remained life-long friends. 

Elizabeth spent over 30 years as a licensed phlebotomist starting with Dr. Chen-See at Quality Control Medical Labs and finally retiring from Penn State Health. While she normally operated from a remote collection station, many of her patients sought to visit her station on an appointment basis as she was very proficient as a “sticker”. 

Elizabeth was a member of St. Margaret’s R.C. Church where she was a Eucharistic Minister and director of the guitar group for many years. She sang and played with the guitar choir at St. Joseph’s for many years, and she was very involved in the Cursillo and SEARCH retreats.  As a self-taught guitarist, she was well respected in all the groups in which she played. 

Elizabeth was an excellent seamstress.  She has sewn wedding dresses, table runners, curtains, clothing for her family, and even an outfit for Santa Claus. 

Above all, most important to Elizabeth was her family. She raised her children in a loving and caring home which she continues to this day with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She reveled in having her family around her, especially the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed cooking and baking, sewing, and spending time with all of them. She will be greatly missed. 

The family will receive friends and family, for a viewing, at Stitzel Funeral Home, 3300 Kutztown Rd., Reading, PA 19605 on Sunday, October 8th from 5-7 P.M. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s R.C. Church, 1018 N. 8th St., Reading, PA on Monday, October 9th at 11 A.M.  Interment will follow at Forest Hills Memorial Park, Exeter. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the ALS Foundation of Greater Philadelphia, 321 Norristown Rd, Suite 260, Ambler, PA 19002.  This will help other families combat this dreaded disease. 

For online condolences, visit www.StitzelFamilyFuneralHomes.com

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