Obituary - Elizabeth Ann Varnum

Elizabeth Ann Varnum passed away Friday, Jan. 16, 2015, in Helena. She was 54 years old.

Elizabeth (Little Bits, Zil) was born Feb. 2, 1960, in Helena to John and Alice Varnum. She joined her two older sisters, Vicki and Barbara, and with her arrival the family was complete.

The family moved to Havre in 1963 where Elizabeth attended school. She graduated from Havre High School in 1978, and earned her associate degree in computer programming and a bachelor's degree in business from Northern Montana College in 1983.  

From 1966 through 1969 the family lived in Kisii, Kenya. These years sparked her life-long interest in travel. In her adult years, she traveled to Sweden, Thailand, England and Portugal.

After graduating from NMC, Elizabeth worked for the California Conservation Corp. She then moved to Kalispell, Montana, to live with her sister Barbara. Elizabeth was thrilled to accept a nanny position in New York in 1989.

Upon receiving news of Elizabeth's death, her second family contributed the following: " Elizabeth will be greatly missed by her New York family: her 'two girls,' Sarah and Theresa, and their mother, Elvira. Elizabeth, or "Beadie," as Sarah used to call her, moved to Westchester, New York, in 1989 to work as a live-in nanny first caring for Sarah as an infant. She quickly became part of the family and a second mother to her girls, who have endless fond memories of Elizabeth, from sincere moments of support and advice, to daily visits to the library, walks to school, making pizza and cheering them on at sports games. Elvira remembers her as a sister, and her right hand of support through many challenges. Elizabeth also loved visiting New York attractions during her time there, especially museums, Broadway and the Bronx Zoo. Elizabeth cared for her girls for 18 years, until she followed another career path in 2007 and moved back to Montana. Elizabeth will always be cherished for her selfless dedication and kind-natured spirit. She lives on through her girls, who try to embody her example, lessons and simple love of life she left with them."

Upon her return to Montana, Elizabeth accepted a position as an ondependent living specialist with the Hamilton Summit Independent Living Center, an organization that provides advocacy and referral services for individuals with disabilities. She was recently appointed as vice-chair on the Statewide Independent Living Council. Elizabeth loved her job with Summit; her enthusiasm and dedication to help others was her calling and she excelled at it.

Elizabeth made many close friends and was actively involved in the Hamilton community: she volunteered and acted in several plays for the Hamilton Players, a local theater group; she participated in the Renaissance fairs; was actively involved with People First, a self-advocacy group for individuals with developmental disabilities; and participated annually in cancer walks.

Elizabeth was an avid photographer, and was an incredible chronicler of family get-togethers, trips and events. She was a voracious reader, and knitter: she recently completed the last knitted throw for the family, which included her immediate family and all of her nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Elizabeth taught herself how to play piano and loved to sing along with her sister Vicki when visiting. She enjoyed her daily walks, cooking up curry for the family, teaching chess and board games to the youngsters and buying little gifts for everyone whenever she traveled abroad.

Elizabeth was truly a pure soul: she thought the best of everyone, was caring, optimistic, giving, and always put others before herself. She was one of a kind and a unique individual who will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

In keeping with Elizabeth's loving and generous spirit it was her decision to donate life so that others may live.

Elizabeth is survived by her loving parents, John and Alice Varnum of Polson, Montana; sisters, Vicki Varnum (Carl Godtland) of Darby, Montana, and Victor, Idaho, and Barbara Varnum of Helena; nephew, Nathan Johnson; nieces, Katie (Ryan) Leahy, Yarrow (Mike) Schmidt, all of Missoula, and Michelle Lloyd of Portland, Oregon; great-nieces and great-nephews, Tristan, Arabelle, Brayden, Katia, Keely and Chance.

The family suggests that memorials be made in Elizabeth's name to the Child Development Center, 3335 Lt Moss Road, Missoula, MT 59840.

Services are pending.