Elizabeth (Biz) Purdom

Elizabeth Anne (Biz) Purdom passed away Sunday, April 26, 2009, at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle. Born Elizabeth Anne McDonald on Nov. 2, 1946, in Minot, N.D., she grew up in Great Falls. She graduated from Great Falls High School in 1965 and then attended Montana State University in Bozeman, where she met her future husband, Wayne G. Purdom.

Biz and Wayne were married in June of 1967. They are the parents of two sons, Wayne Jr. (Connie) and Brett (Kelly). In 1969 the family moved to Selah, purchasing their first and only home. They lived in the same home for 40 years. When the boys began elementary school Biz moved her employment to the Selah School District so she could keep her eye on them. She worked 33 years in this district, retiring in 2008. Her passion and devotion to her children directed her life. Her love and support for her husband sustained her during these past three challenging years.

Biz and her family put down deep roots in Selah. Working in the schools acquainted her with generations of children and their families, Biz loved children. With a few of her favorite women friends she became a Cub Scout leader when her sons were young; she supported theirs and all other Selah youth sports. She loved the Selah community and her friendships run deep and strong.

In the summers, the Purdoms spent their time in Montana at the family lake cabin. This was Biz's favorite place in the world. She, Wayne and the boys created some of their favorite memories there.

Biz loved her dogs, Mike and Marty. They lived the life of pampered children, and will miss her as they move onto a new home in the area.

Her sons, Wayne and Brett, and grandchildren Cierra, Alisha, Caroline and Cole, her sister Jean, her brother Gordon and numerous nieces and nephews survive Biz. Her husband, Wayne, preceded her in death on March 28, 2009. Her parents, Lois and Gordon McDonald, are also deceased.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, May 2 at the Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Yakima. A reception followed at River Ridge Golf Course in Selah.

The family requests that memorials be made through Langevin Mussetter Funeral Home to the Wayne & Biz Purdom Memorial Scholarship Fund, held at Selah National Bank. As Wayne and Biz were actives supporters of Selah athletics, this scholarship will be awarded annually to assist Selah athletes in their pursuit of higher education.