Elyzabeth “Beth” Strand Kristofersen, 74, died in her home in Reidsville, NC on
Saturday August 18, 2018. She was born in 1944 in Jamaica, NY to Walter Strand Jr.
and Elizabeth Nowak Strand. She grew up on Long Island with her parents and her
brother, Walter Strand III, and summered with extended family along the shores of Lake
Hopatcong until leaving for college. She graduated with a B.A. from St. Bonaventure
University, a private Franciscan Catholic university in upstate New York. Directly out of
college she joined Pan American World Airlines (Pan Am)- formerly the largest airline in
the U.S.- and began a lifelong career in the airline industry. Beginning as a ticketing
agent, she progressed up the ranks to become one of the airline’s top instructors in
revenue accounting. She was a loyal Pan Am executive who served the company in New
York City until its end. She moved to Dallas, Texas and continued to work in revenue
accounting in the airline industry until her retirement. Her position as a prominent
professional allowed her to travel extensively to more than 85 countries.
She moved to Reidsville, NC to be closer to her mother, brother, and sister-in-law. A
lifelong Catholic, she assumed a more active role in the Church in her new home. She
was a regular volunteer at Holy Infant Catholic Church and was a member of the
Greensboro Council of Catholic Women. She became a professed Secular Franciscan
with the Franciscan Family of Greensboro (FFG), culminating in a lifelong commitment
to live the gospel following the example of St. Francis of Assisi. Beth served as a
volunteer frequently at the St. Francis Springs Prayer Center in Stoneville, which
became one of Beth’s favorite places in the world.
Beth was known for her dry wit, sharp tongue, and prowess of the English language. She
could complete the NY Times Saturday crossword in under ten minutes and was a
formidable opponent in Scrabble. She adored her pets and most recently was the loving
owner of two small dogs that made her smile and laugh every day.
Beth was preceded in death by her parents and her brother. She is survived by her sister-in-
law Dr. Terry S. Strand of Reidsville, NC, her nieces and their spouses- Dr. Adrian
Lee Strand and her wife Mrs. Andrea Blevins Langley of Charleston, SC and Mrs.
Christine Strand Marks and her husband Mr. Robert Marks of Southport, NC, and cousins
in Pennsylvania, New York and Kentucky.
There will be a memorial service on Friday August 24, 2018 at 2:00 pm at the Holy
Infant Catholic Church, 1042 Freeway Drive, Reidsville, NC 27320. Reception to follow.
Per Beth’s wishes, please make a contribution or memorial to the Holy Infant Catholic
Church, 1042 Freeway Drive, Reidsville, NC 27320 or to St. Francis Springs Prayer
Center, 477 Grogan Road, Stoneville, NC 27048. Online condolences may be sent via
Citty Funeral Home, www.cittyfh.com.
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