Elizabeth Molitor

Elizabeth Janel Molitor — Liz, Lizzie, Bean (as she is affectionately known), loving wife and mother, devoted daughter and sister, favorite aunt, best friend, most beautiful of souls — after a two-year battle with cancer, stepped into the arms of Jesus on Monday, September 16, 2024. Liz was born November 2, 1977, to Jerry and Lois Sanders, joining siblings Sarahlee, Rebekah, David, and Laura. She immediately began exhibiting signs of the spirit and passion that were her trademarks all her life — a life she lived out loud always, doing all the things she loved with her signature ferocity and enthusiasm. Even as a toddler, the scene of Lizzie escaping out the front door, running halfway down the block, then being caught and hauled back home is indelibly etched in the memories of her siblings, punctuated by the sound of the slamming bedroom door and the kicking, screaming fit that ensued. Liz was the youngest of five for almost eight years (probably because it took that long for her parents to recover); she was joined by two more sisters, Amy and Ann. Her pre-teen and teenage years were spent in Cordova, Alaska, where she made many forever friends, and that same irrepressible spirit often got her in trouble… but it also made her a tough competitor in basketball and a great partner in crime. Her friends will tell you that she was always up for a mischievous escapade. In 1996, Liz graduated from high school and began cosmetology school — a natural step since she always loved doing hair and getting to know people (she often would braid her best friend’s hair while they talked about life and love, and all the things). She graduated and earned her license in 1997, and that started a 21-year career that included being owner and operator of Bellissimo, her salon in Ephrata, where her outgoing, friendly, and magnetic personality drew many more lifelong friends. During those years, several life-changing events occurred that shaped Liz and formed her family. In 1998, Kenadee was born. Hayden joined them in 2000. Liz met the love of her life, David Molitor, and they were married in 2004. Jack was born in 2006, and Naomi followed in 2008. They settled in Soap Lake, and Liz was busy loving her family and building their life together. Liz and Dave have provided a home for her mom and dad since 2008, honoring them and caring for them in their retirement, throughout her father’s illness, and after his passing last year. In 2018, Liz retired from cosmetology, sold her salon, and joined her husband as a managing partner of Ridge2River Construction. Then came one of the most difficult things Liz ever faced — the premature birth and loss of their baby boy, Nash. In the darkest time of her life, her faith in God sustained her, and the strength of spirit He had lent her became the saving grace she needed to walk through it. Although that loss stayed with her the rest of her life, she dug in her heels and lived and loved even more fiercely. And in 2020, Liz and Dave were blessed with Jessie — a sweet little spitfire… …Just like Liz. This past August, Liz became a grandmother. Little Kane was the joy of her heart, and she was so happy to meet and hold him. Liz lived life like a grand adventure. She loved camping, backpacking, traveling, skiing, singing karaoke, and running half-marathons with her friends. She poured her life and talents into her community. From her time on the Almira-Coulee-Hartline school board while they navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 shutdown to coaching youth basketball for the little girls’ teams, she gave of her time and resources to serve the people in the place she loved. But more than anything else, Liz loved her family. Of all the things she accomplished in life, she was most proud of her children. She loved to support them in all their activities — dance recitals, dramatic productions, sports, career moves, and family events. Liz was always there, cheering them on and bragging on them. Her mantra was, “There’s nothing more important than family.” And she lived that as her absolute truth. Her philosophy extended to nephews and nieces too — she was always in their corner and interested in what they were doing. She loved family gatherings — big and small — and took time to connect with each family member whenever she had the opportunity. With well over thirty nephews and nieces, that was no small feat. Whether it was picking berries one-on-one with a nephew, cheering on a niece when she ran cross country, or offering a friendly ear and some good advice, each of them knew they were special to her. As a sister and a friend, Liz was fun and full of life, loyal, protective, and always had your back. She had this unique ability to make you feel truly seen, and when you were with her, she was fully present, like nothing else mattered to her in that moment — even when she was in pain, even when she had struggles of her own. Even when she was diagnosed with cancer in 2022, Liz held onto her purpose and loved on people in her signature style. If we were to put all the comments posted by friends and family about Liz into a word-cloud generator, the word that would rise to the top is FIERCE. There is no better word to describe Liz. In all things — Liz was fierce. In the way she loved her family and her friends. In the way she took care of and protected those she loved. In the way she attacked life head on. In the way she loved Jesus. Liz was the fruit in our oatmeal. She will forever be loved and missed by those of us left behind, but we know that she is dancing and singing karaoke in Heaven, loving on Nash, and shooting hoops with her dad. And we will see her again. *** A Celebration of Life will be held on October 12, 2024, at 1:00 PM at Desert Church in Ephrata, Washington. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Columbia Basin Foundation with “Elizabeth Molitor” on the memo line. It was Liz’s desire to assist His Helping Hands as they open a resource center in Ephrata. Her heart for people and serving others will live on at the Elizabeth Molitor Gathering Place in the resource center. When Liz lost her father last year, she felt blessed that he taught her how to meet people where they were in life. This legacy will do just that. Donations may be mailed to: CBF 101 Basin Street NW Ephrata, WA 98823. You can also go to www.cbfcommunity.org to make a donation online.

Tributes

Elizabeth Molitor

November 2, 1977 - September 16, 2024