Elizabeth Prochaska

Elizabeth Vernon Sanford Prochaska, “Libby” 88, passed away on Wednesday, June 26th at home surrounded by her loving family. Libby was born September 20, 1935, in Fresno, California to Royal K. Sanford and Mary Elizabeth Davis Sanford. She was the eldest of three children. Her two sisters, Comfort Elizabeth Sanford Weintritt and Catherine Anne “Toby” Sanford Champagne preceded her in death. 

 Her family lived in California until Libby’s early teens when they moved to Hammond, Louisiana where Libby graduated high school in 1953 from Southeastern Louisiana College Lab School. In 1956 she graduated with a degree in Education from Southwestern Louisiana Institute (SLI) in Lafayette, now known as the University of Louisiana. While attending SLI, Libby met the love of her life, Otto Prochaska Jr. on a blind date . They were married in June of 1956 at Grace Memorial Episcopal Church in Hammond. Afterwards she and Otto moved to Chanute Air Force base in Illinois where she taught First grade and Otto served as an Air Force maintenance officer. Having enough of the frozen north, Libby and Otto moved back to Louisiana and lived in Baton Rouge where they started their family where they added son Eric and daughter Laura. They later moved to Gulf Breeze in 1963 where son Kurt rounded out the family. She loved her family especially taking everyone on trips to the beach or sailing in Pensacola Bay.

 Libby served as a Girl Scout leader for 10 years and was fiercely proud when all 17 of her Senior Scouts were awarded the rank of First Class, the highest achievement within GSA at that time. She was a dedicated member of St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church and over the years faithfully served on the altar guild and the Women of the Church. Libby was an avid gardener who loved her roses and African violets. As a member of Miraflores Garden Club won many ribbons for various entries at the Pensacola Interstate Fair. She also worked part time for over 20 years visiting area school libraries as an audio-visual sales associate for Britannica Corporation.

 Libby is survived by her loving husband of 68 years, Otto and her children, Eric Prochaska and wife Jeannette, Laura Prochaska Thomas and husband Ellis, and Kurt Prochaska. She was very proud of her 5 grandchildren, Harrison Prochaska, Benjamin Thomas, Jaime Thomas, Jonathan Thomas and Christian Prochaska. The family would also like to extend special thanks to the loving and supportive caretakers, Maria, Maribel, Jordan, Peggy and many others for their compassionate care over the past 6 years as well as support from Emerald Coast Hospice.