Durham, Elizabeth W., 1900-2003.

Born on February 14, 1900 in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Elizabeth Wyckoff Durham (EWD) grew up in a family dedicated to music. Her father John Wyckoff Durham, born May 11, 1873, was involved with music throughout his life. After studying music abroad, he returned to New Brunswick where he served as an organist for various local and neighboring churches and gave piano lessons. He died on October 11, 1913 at the age of forty-one after a long illness. Elizabeth's mother Ruth Hulshizer Durham was born in Phillipsburg and married John in 1899. A graduate of the Moravian Seminary where she studied to be a concert pianist, Ruth gave piano lessons and while raising her three daughters. After her husband's death, Ruth took over John's position as organist and served in that post for over ten years. In an effort to share her appreciation for music, Ruth donated music materials to the New Jersey College for Women (Douglass College) and to Rutgers College. She continued to venture further into the public sphere by working as an accountant at an aircraft plant in World War I and, after women gained the vote, served as Vice-Chairman of the Middlesex County Republican Committee until 1930. Ruth was a member of the board of directors of the Middlesex Hospital Aid Association until her poor health forced her to stop working. She died on April 10, 1943.

Elizabeth had two younger sisters, Leila, also called "Tommy," and Charlotte. Leila graduated from high school in 1920 and was active during her early life in studying and performing vocal music. She also served as Vice Chairman of the Young Republicans and served on the Second District of the Fourth Ward election board in New Brunswick. Leila appears to have been married to William Kibbe of Highland Park circa 1940, but later appears to have married Leslie Gladwell. She died on November 14, 1958. Charlotte Durham was born on February 26, 1904. She was active in her church and worked alongside her sister Elizabeth in the Rutgers Alumni Association office. She married Daniel Ballard Frazier on October 25, 1941 and died in 1968.

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