Obituaries & Tributes

Elizabeth Mae Irvine: Aug. 4, 1937 – Sept. 22, 2021

Liz passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 22 at OHSU, due to surgical complications.

Born La Una Mae Elizabeth Johnson, in Klamath Falls, Liz was raised in Fall Creek and graduated from Lowell High School in 1955. Anointed “Queen of the Dam” for Lookout Point Dam, Liz received her bachelor’s degree from the Oregon College of Education and became a teacher, focusing on fine arts.

Liz married Donald Irvine in 1958 and although they divorced, she remained lifelong friends and an active Irvine family member at all gatherings – usually partaking as head chef. Cooking was a passion that she shared with numerous friends, family, and neighbors, hosting fabulous four-course dinner parties. Homemade chicken noodle soup and blackberry pies were always classic hits!

Throughout her life, Liz moved back and forth between Oregon and California. She retired as an Art teacher from Monte Vista High School in Danville, Calif. and moved back to the Eugene/Springfield area in the early 2000s. Liz also traveled throughout the world, visiting such places as Africa, Greece, Turkey, Spain, Italy and France.

Liz always possessed a love of nature and its creatures, with a strong draw towards the ocean environment. She was involved in the Save the Whales movement in the ’70s, fed/adopted feral cats, and donated to numerous environmental and animal rescue organizations. She relished annual birthday trips rowing down the McKenzie River in a drift boat and was excited if one of her kids caught a steelhead!

Liz was passionate about her art, displaying her style and creativity from decorating her house and self (often from St. Vincent’s and Goodwill) to painting, drawing, and making pottery, jewelry, and cement leaves. Her enthusiasm extended to sports as an avid Oakland As and Oregon Ducks fan.

Her love of family and friends and extreme generosity were consistently demonstrated via her dinner parties, helping anyone in need, volunteering at Food for Lane County, and just wanting to see people happy. As one friend stated, “She was always positive, spirited, interesting, smart, talented, could be a little goofy at times, and had an incredibly big heart.”

Liz is survived by her daughter, Leslie Irvine, and grand-daughter, Ashley Becker. Liz was truly an amazing mother, grandmother, and friend and is greatly missed by all. A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Lowell Grange on Nov. 7 at 1 p.m.

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