Elisabeth Burigan's Obituary
In the midst of Christmas and New Year's celebrations on December 27, 1929, a baby girl was born to Alma and Gustav Rohr. They named her Elisabeth and called her Liesl. She was a late blessing to her parents who already had two teenage daughters, Klara and Erna and a son, Alex away in boarding school. The Rohr family lived in a beautiful valley, in a far away land: Buhusi, Romania. In addition to school and tutors, Liesl grew up immersed in the creative arts. She learned to play the piano, danced ballet on pointe, acted in plays and drew beautifully. The whole family doted on her and created memories she held dear and comforted her for the rest of her life.
This idyllic childhood ended when the war began. By then her sisters were married and Alex finished university.
Her beloved brother and most young men in town were forced into the military. By the end of the war few men came back but not her brother. Her sisters became refugees in foreign lands. Liesl being too young and her parents too old, they were spared being shipped to labor camps in Russia and Siberia but were put in a concentration camp instead. Shortly after they were released her father died and two remained. They were resilient. Elisabeth became an accountant and her mother's sewing skills helped them survive. Her mother encouraged her to participate in youth group activities. Drawing on her childhood learning, Elisabeth now danced and choreographed and she sang her heart out in a chorus. She was fun, liked to do pranks, had a dry sense of humor and stood out enough to get noticed and attract the chorus conductor's affection. Elisabeth Rohr and charming Iulius Burigan were married in June 1951 in a wedding of two with her mother as a witness. Not being allowed to leave Romania, the newlyweds travelled the country, climbing the highest mountain peaks, hiking through flowering meadows and lush forests and canoed the waters. They later imparted their love for nature and connection with it to the next generation.
Five years later the couple moved to what is now a UN World Heritage Site, Sibiu, one of the loveliest cities in the world. They had two daughters by now making it a house of 3 generations. Her mother, Omi, took care of the children and nourished the whole family. While there, her eldest sister Klara whom they had not seen since the beginning of the war was allowed to visit.
In 1961, Iulius got a promotion at the Conservatory of Music and Fine Arts in the city of Arad. Here Elisabeth would find her true calling. She started a German kindergarten. She taught 3-7 year olds to speak German. They learned by singing, reciting poetry, moving, acting out scenes, listening to stories... By the time they reached school age, they spoke so well, they were all accepted to the German Lycee, a well sought after, academically exceptional school. She had such a great reputation and became so well known that parents from near and far came to plead with her to accept just one more child. She was equally loved and admired by both the children and the parents. In the midst of all her success she faced the loss of her mother in 1962. Though brokenhearted, she carried on with strength and resolution. Adding her mother's job to her daily life, she proved to be as good a gourmet cook and pastry baker as her mother had been. When Elisabeth hosted friends, not only did she prepare the most delicious dishes, but she presented a feast for the eyes as well. After twenty-two years, with great joy, she finally got to see her sister Erna who had settled in Austria after the war.
The more successful and well known in a city one got, the more pressure from the government to join the totalitarian party and its propaganda but neither she nor her husband wanted to be part of it. So they plotted an escape. In 1965 the family embarked on a colossal life transformation. They tricked the authorities and fled to Austria which ended up as a gateway to America. On October 4, 1967 they set foot on the land they eventually called home and where they would live out their lives. By now she had learned to adapt . She learned how to drive, learned English, worked different jobs and made friends of different nationalities. Sometimes she was told to go back to where she came from but she did not heed their advice.
In 1987, Elisabeth became a grandmother to Sebastian and in '89 to Natasha. Needless to say she was a wonderful Omi to both. She was not just good with children. She had two shelties who were well behaved and devoted to her.
After Elisabeth retired, she moved to Tallahassee to be close to family. She travelled the world, enjoyed gardening, knitting, reading, the symphony and the opera. She still loved to see how much everyone savoured her cooking and baking. Elisabeth was also an inventor. When there was a need or a problem, she could make out of the most ordinary things a solution. Nothing ever went to waste. Her loving hands were never idle.
When she came to Tallahassee she joined Epiphany Lutheran Church, one of the most meaningful parts of her life. She joined the Altar Guild and the Quilting Guild. Her volunteer work at church meant a lot and she held her friends, her fellow Mission Quilters very dear to her heart.
Elisabeth was not a collector of things but of philosophical quotes regarding the art of living, giving and treating other humans. Elisabeth found joy in making others happy.
Hers was a life fraught with moments of tragedy and sprinkled with moments of joy. A long life lived artfully with grace, elegance and kindness.
A celebration of life service will be held Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 11:30 A.M. at Epiphany Lutheran Church, 8300 Deerlake Road, Tallahassee, Florida.
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