Narrater, Elizabeth Armstrong July 15, 1925 - February 19, 2024

Known for her kind and generous nature, Elizabeth Ann Armstrong Narrater proved to be part wonder woman as well, multiple times during her almost 100 years on earth. Born at home in the Bronx in 1925, to Daniel and Helene (Lena) Armstrong she grew up during the depression with her younger sister Eleanor in a devoutly Catholic household.

As was the tradition of many Irish immigrant families at that time, the Armstrong’s spent 5 weeks each summer in a bungalow at Rockaway beach. The summer she turned 8 years old she became quite ill and was rushed back to the city for medical treatment. Diagnosed with polio, Elizabeth spent a year in the hospital and endured multiple surgeries. The virus left her with a lame left leg and a desire to return to her normal life with friends, family and school. She loved to learn and read everything
she could, a passion that was reflected in her straight A, top-of-the-class status at Immaculate Conception School.. There she made lifelong friends including 3 women who met yearly, one who passed just a few months ago.
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As a young adult she traveled with friends and started dating some young men from her neighborhood. One in particular stood out, Brooklyn native Henry Narrater. He courted her relentlessly for 7 years. They married in 1954 and enjoyed 60 years together until his death in 2012. After the graduation she attended Hunter College for 2 years prior to taking a secretarial position as secretary to Sam Cook Diggs – a rising star at CBS. While at CBS she had several health scares including a near deathhospitalization from emphysema. She commuted to midtown by bus and subway yet found the energy toenjoy museums, theatre and European travel.

As her boss at CBS climbed the corporate ladder to president of Radio she received more responsibilities becoming Executive Secretary and then to Manager Affiliate Relations CBS Radio. Around this time, she returned to college earning her Bachelor of Arts degree from Fordham University.

She cared for her widowed mother in all ways, from taking her on vacations to attending to her heath and basic needs as she grew old.

Auntie was an enormous part of the lives of her sister, Eleanor Troy and her family – especially when it came to her nieces Susan and Janet. She lavished them with gifts on all holidays, helped defray their college tuition and somehow managed to procure tickets for them to see the BEATLESon The Ed Sullivan Show. She never failed to be there for her nieces and their husbands Tom and Kevin. She loved her grandnieces and nephew Kelly (husband AJ Frey), Elizabeth, Thomas and Catherine and invited
them for outings and baby sat as well. While she will be missed dearly her family is comforted in knowing she was delighted to meet her newly-born great, great niece, Lily Eleanor Frey.

In 1988 she embraced retirement buying her first home, traveling and becoming part of the Heritage Hills community. They spent time swimming and joining groups like book club, sew and chat, Garden Club and the Irish Society. As she got older she had several heath scares but somehow managed to pull through. During this time she was blessed to have the help of some very caring ladies including Beatrice, Edna and Hannah.

May she rest in peace with a little glass of Chardonna