Elizabeth Marshall Denny Saxman (Lish) was born April 1, 1917, in Pittsburgh, Pa., to Mr. and Mrs. Harmar D. Denny. She passed away Aug. 31, 2003, at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Anne and Dan Martin, in Meridian, Idaho. Her big heart finally stopped. She had lived in Idaho for the past three years. Prior to that she resided in Helena, Mont., with her son and daughter-in-law, Ernie and Twila Saxman. She lived with them for seven years.

Elizabeth attended Miss Ellis school and Misses Masters school in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., and was introduced to Pittsburgh society as a debutante in November 1935. Her great-great-great-grandfathers were General James O’Hara and Ebenezer Denny, the former a landowner whose name is said to be on almost every old deed in Pittsburgh, and the latter Pittsburgh’s first mayor. She was proud of her heritage.

Elizabeth met John Brooke Saxman of Somerset, Pa., while both were court reporters for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. They were married in 1938 in Pittsburgh and lived in Pittsburgh and Muncy, Pa., until 1953 when they relocated to Virginia City, Mont., and later to Bozeman, Mont. Eight children were born to them and most were raised in Bozeman. Elizabeth was a reporter for Montana newspapers in Bozeman and Great Falls. She also worked for newspapers in Milton, Pa. and Springfield, Ore.

Along with raising the last of her children, “Lish” attended Lane Community College in Eugene, Ore., later graduating from the University of Oregon in 1978, at the age of 61, with a degree in human services. While attending the university and after graduation, she was a child/family therapist at a child center in Springfield, Ore., working with severely emotionally disturbed children. Lish was a member of PEO in Helena and Coupeville. She spent much of her time in later years knitting, reading and watching baseball on TV (the Mariners).

Her favorite place was Whidbey Island. She lived there for 10 years in a house built by her son Christopher. Lish and her Scottish terriers (Wendy and Dougal) became a real fixture in the town of Coupeville, where she made many friends on her long walks with them. Her son Jim lives in Coupeville.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her son Harmar Denny Saxman. She is survived by her children John B. (Mary), Peggy (Howard) Ross, Christopher, Anne (Dan) Martin, Ernie (Twila), James, and Tony (Penny). She is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Her sister Anne Angus also survives.

Cremation took place in Meridian, Idaho. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Oct. 11, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Coupeville. Her ashes will be buried in Sunnyside Cemetery that day.