Elizabeth “Betty” Dvorscak, 80, died June 27 surrounded
by friends and her husband of 53 years, EJ Dvorscak. Born Elizabeth Jane
Maguire Dec. 22, 1936, to William and Martha Maguire, she grew up in Falls
Church as the youngest of six children. She attended St. James Catholic School
in Falls Church and received a full scholarship to Holy Trinity High School in
Georgetown. She also received a full scholarship to Dunbarton College of the
Holy Cross, Washington, where she graduated summa cum laude in 1958 with a
Bachelor of Arts.
Following graduation, she worked briefly for the National
Geographic Society and then went on to a 35-year career at the World Bank,
eventually becoming chief of the Publications and Composition Unit in the
Printing and Graphics Division.
As a young woman, Dvorscak became active in the Catholic Young
Adult Club (CYAC) in the Arlington Diocese, where she met her husband. Their wedding
was officiated by her brother, Jesuit Father Robert Maguire, June 13, 1964, at
St. James. They later became parishioners of St. Anthony of Padua Church in
Falls Church.
At St. Anthony, Dvorscak served as a lector. She helped start
Gathering Groups, she was a tutor at Corpus Christi School in Falls Church and was
the first chair of the pastoral council. She was part of the Altar Guild for
many years and then became Chair of Art and Environment following her
retirement from the World Bank in 1995. Dvorscak made altar cloths and designed
beautiful banners to celebrate the liturgical seasons. She created a grotto on
the altar for Easter Vigil.
In 1998, She was recognized for her parish work as one of 12
Outstanding Women of the Diocese by the Arlington Diocesan Council of Catholic
Women (ADCCW). And in June 2001, she and her husband received a Padua Award
from the parishioners at St. Anthony recognizing their many years of outstanding
services and dedication.
A visitation will be held for family and friends on Friday, June
30, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m at Everly Community Funeral Care, 6161
Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated
Saturday, July 1, at 10 a.m. at St. Anthony, 3305 Glen Carlyn Road, Falls
Church.
