Elizabeth Ann (West) Folsom

Elizabeth Ann (West) Folsom, 81, of Colfax, Wash., passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023 in her winter home in Mesa, Ariz., where her and her husband, Barry were "snowbirds" for 20-plus years.

"Liz," as she was known to family and friends, was the youngest of two children. She was born in Colfax, Wash., on Jan. 3, 1942 to Everett and Mayme (Ellis) West. Liz grew up with her older brother, Howard, in Palouse, Wash., and graduated from Palouse High School in 1960.

She went on to get her accounting degree at Kinman Business College, then worked at the Washington State University bookstore in Pullman, Wash., and later at a bank.

She met the love of her life, Barry, at the Safeway corporate Christmas party in 1966. He proposed to her on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, 1967, and they were married June 24, 1967. Together they had three children: Judith (Folsom) Coll, Barry Jr., and Denise (Folsom) Greisen.

Barry's career with Safeway took them to Moscow, Idaho, where Liz continued to work at the WSU campus in Pullman. They then went to Colville, Wash., where they bought their first home, before moving to Walla Walla, Wash., and back to Colfax, where they settled in and purchased the Coast to Coast Hardware store together in 1973.

They loved that owning that business gave them the opportunity to travel to various cities with the company. Fun fact: Liz enjoyed riding motorcycles with Barry for a brief time during their early years together.

Liz was blessed to be able travel with her husband to Hawaii twice (she loved Maui) as well as going on cruises through the Caribbean and Alaska. She loved "snowbirding" to Mesa, Ariz., (like her parents did) where she and Barry traveled to get away from the cold winters in Colfax.

She was very active in the Val Vista Park in Mesa, where she made a lot of friends through her hobbies. Liz had a passion for quilting and was proud to donate her blankets to " A New Leaf Charity," whose work is to help veterans and others suffering from homelessness and domestic violence.

She also enjoyed creating stained glass tables for her family and friends. Crocheting was another skill she cherished, making blankets, pot holders, baby blankets and bibs for her beloved children and grandchildren.

In recent years, Liz found fulfillment and lots of joy in volunteering at the Thrifty Grandmother's Shop in Colfax.

Liz is survived by her husband, Barry; children, Barry Jr. and Denise (Folsom) Greisen; three nieces; eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; five step-grandchildren and five step-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Howard; and daughter Judith (Folsom) Coll.

Liz's kind and creative spirit will be deeply missed by her family, friends and all those whose lives she touched.

The family suggests memorial gifts in her memory be to the Colfax Thrifty Grandmother's Shop. Donations may be sent to the shop at 118 N. Main St., Colfax, WA 99111,

A New Leaf Charity or the American Cancer Society in honor of her oldest daughter Judy (Folsom) Coll who lost her battle to cancer.

There will be a Memorial Service in Mesa, Ariz., at 7 p.m. in the Val Vista Park Ballroom on Jan. 28, 2024.

A Celebration of Life will take place in Colfax in June 2024; an exact date, time and place will be announced later.

Corbeill Funeral Home in Colfax, Wash., is caring for the family. On-line condolences may be made at http://www.corbeillfuneralhomes.com.