Elizabeth Harbison

Elizabeth A. Harbison, 84, passed away Friday May 16, 2014 at her residence in Scottsdale following a brief illness. Prior to that, she had resided in Thatcher, Arizona for several years and has been returned to Thatcher to be buried alongside her husband of 52 years, Lawrence E. Harbison. Elizabeth was born and raised in Oakland, California. She met Larry in Berkeley, California, where Larry was attending UC Berkeley. They soon married and later moved to Larrys home town of Globe, Arizona. From there, they eventually found themselves in Morenci, Arizona where Larry had found employment with Phelps Dodge copper company. They raised 6 children in that area until 1979, when Larry was transferred to Ajo, Arizona. When Larry retired, they moved to Thatcher. Elizabeth enjoyed gardening, sewing, knitting, crocheting, painting, and craftwork. She really enjoyed camping and fishing; many a family vacation was spent in the White Mountains trout fishing. Her fondest memory of her later life was the pilgrimage she and Larry took to the Holy Land with a group from the St. Rose of Lima Parish. Elizabeth is survived by her six children: Willard Harbison (Linda), Estelle Loxsom (Art), Rita Wallace, Steve Harbison (Patti), Veronica Sexton (Robin), and Mark Harbison (Gwen). She also has 9 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. A viewing will be held on Saturday, May 24, 2014 at Caldwell Funeral Chapel from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A Memorial Mass will be held at St Rose of Lima Parish at 1:00 p.m. with interment to follow at the Thatcher Cemetery.