Lizabeth J Thornburg

LIZABETH JUNE THORNBURG, age 62, died October 26, 2017 at North Newton, Kansas.  She was born June 15, 1955, in Stafford, KS, the daughter of Charles Thornburg and Zella Merle (Goddard) Thornburg.  She lived in North Newton, KS for several years.  Her death was not expected, and came as a huge shock to her family and friends.  Liz’s parents owned a genuine old-fashioned, old-time Saloon and Pool Hall in Hudson, Kansas, where people came in for brews, sandwiches, to shoot the bull, play pool, cards, and cribbage.  She had an idyllic life during those early years. 

Liz was a creative person, and loved to draw and paint.  She was a devoted mother and grandmother, and loved sharing pictures of her family, and her beloved dog, Simon.  She loved her entire family, and was always interested in knowing what everyone was doing.  As a young person she was employed by the local newspaper, the Florence Bulletin, but felt her calling involved much more.  She was a caring and sympathetic woman, and spent a large part of her adult life as a caregiver; a role she was absolutely fitted for.  She was a certified CNA and CMA, working in several nursing homes in Marion County.  She loved helping others. 

Liz attended school in Matfield Green, Clements, Florence, and Marion.  She graduated from Marion High School in 1973.

She had suffered since childhood from Diabetes, and as an adult developed Arthritis and Fibromyalgia.  She rarely complained about these things.  They were just part of her life, and she had accepted them.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and two brothers, Charles C. “Bud” Thornburg, and Alvin Eugene “Gene” Ellis; also four sisters, Geneva McGrew, Daisy Moore, Vera Davis, and Opal Sigler.

Liz was descended from at least one patriot:  Her maternal great-grandfather, Jordan Goddard, was a combat veteran during the Civil War, the war that ended slavery.  He served in the 120th Illinois Infantry, and is buried in Bendavis, Missouri. 

She is survived by her three children, JASON CHARLES DIAZ, NATHAN ALAN DIAZ, AND ANDREA KAYE DIAZ, all of Newton, and five grandchildren.  She is also survived by two sisters, Mrs. Charlotte Thompson (Doyle), of Halstead, and Mrs. Vernal Lovette, of Augusta; a sister-in-law, Mrs. Marilyn Thornburg of Stafford, brother-in-law, Mr. Terrell “Terry” Sigler of Burdick, numerous cousins, nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, and by many, many friends.

All of her family remembers her in different ways, but all of us loved her, and will always remember her quirky, spunky personality and huge heart.