Elizabeth Havlik

Elizabeth Havlik passed away in Tulsa, Oklahoma on October 21st, 2014, two months after celebrating her 90th birthday. She was born in the rural village of Jablonove, Czechoslovakia to William and Anna Maria Cech. Elizabeth (Alzbeta in Cech) was the youngest of four siblings, all deceased. She was a survivor of the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia during WWII and was forced to flee that country when it fell under communist control in 1949. Elizabeth circumvented border closure by swimming across the Morava River on the border between Austria and Czechoslovakia and became a refugee. The refugee relocation program enabled Elizabeth to immigrate to Canada via transport ship. It was aboard this ship that she met her husband-to-be, Ladislav Havlik. After marriage, they settled in Corning, NY where they resided for over 54 years.

Elizabeth enjoyed cooking, watching birds, learning English through working crossword puzzles, dancing and traveling, but there was nothing she loved more than being with her family. She will be dearly missed. The family is especially grateful to the many caregivers at Clare Bridge of Tulsa for their genuine love and care.

Elizabeth is survived by her husband, Ladislav of Corning, NY, sons Dennis (Bonnie) Havlik of Edwards, CO, Peter (Cindy) Havlik of Tulsa, OK, grandchildren Cavan, Jessica, Kendra, Nicole, Audrey, Laura, and great-grandchildren Cohen, Ace and Emma.

A family memorial service will be held Beaver Creek, Colorado. Memorial gifts may be made to St. Francis Hospice, 6600 S. Yale Ave, Suite 350, Tulsa, OK 74136. Schaudt-Teel funeral home is handling funeral arrangements at www.schaudtfuneralservice.com.