Elizabeth H. Lippincott, 95, veteran, businesswoman and active volunteer

Elizabeth H. Lippincott, 95, formerly of Chestnut Hill, a World War II veteran, businesswoman, and volunteer, died Friday, Aug. 19, of congestive heart failure at Cathedral Village in Roxborough.

Born in Washington, Mrs. Lippincott graduated from Lower Merion High School during the Great Depression, which formed her core values of thrift, hard work, and resilience.

Though she faced the early loss of several relatives, she never wallowed in sorrow or complained.

"Later, it was 'count your blessings and be grateful for what you've got,' " said son Roger Livingston Jones.

While in high school, Mrs. Lippincott was a cheerleader and basketball player. She graduated from Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, Va., attending on a full scholarship. Later, she became a dedicated fund-raiser for the school.

Mrs. Lippincott served in the Navy Supply Corps from July 31, 1943, to June 12, 1946, when she was honorably discharged to the Naval Reserve with the rank of lieutenant junior grade. She and her three brothers, all of whom served in the Navy, were recognized by James V. Forrestal, former secretary of the Navy, for their dedication to the country.

She was married to Livingston Eric Jones from 1949 until his death in 1959. The couple had three children. She then married R. Schuyler Lippincott, with whom she had a daughter.

After the death of her first husband, Mrs. Lippincott replaced him as president and chairman of the board of Delbar Products in Perkasie. The firm made rearview mirrors and other automotive items before being bought out in 1988.

Mrs. Lippincott ran the company from 1959 to 1966 while also raising three young children. She stayed on as chairman of the board until the mid-1980s.

She was a busy volunteer, dedicated to St. Paul's Episcopal Church and Chestnut Hill Hospital. She served as the president of the Women of St. Paul's and as the rector's warden, a lay leader and liaison between the rector and the congregation.

She ran the hospital's Main Street Fair and introduced fund-raising techniques such as a preview of the 1968 movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Mrs. Lippincott regarded Chestnut Hill Hospital as "her hospital," and sat on its board of directors for many years.

Following the example of her mother-in-law, Edith Bolling Jones, Mrs. Lippincott was president of the Acorn Club, a women's club in Philadelphia.

"When there was a need in any organization with whom she was connected, Mrs. Lippincott was regularly chosen to spearhead the initiative," her son said. "She was a doer. She had a reputation in Chestnut Hill as someone who could get the job done."

An athlete all her life, she played tennis and golf, and developed a love of sailing instilled by her first husband. The couple cruised extensively in the 1950s, both along the East Coast and to the Bahamas.

Her second husband introduced her to Jamestown, R.I., where the couple enjoyed summers.

"When the sails were up and the motor was off on her sailboat, Sanderling, was when she was her happiest," her son said.

Besides her son, she is survived by daughters Hadley Jones Ferguson, Edith Bolling Jones, and Elizabeth Lippincott Edie; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

A memorial service was held Tuesday, Aug. 23.

Donations may be made to Episcopal Community Services' Hurdlers Fund, which she established, at 225 S. Third St., Philadelphia 19106. The aim of the fund is to propel an initiative over a hurdle, her son said.

bcook@phillynews.com

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