Vivian Ann Lighthizer

Long time Helena resident Vivian Ann Lighthizer, 79, passed away peacefully with her family at her side on Monday, Dec. 5, 2016 after a lengthy illness.

Services are pending at this time.

Born in Oklahoma June 14, 1937, the only daughter of Herbert Eugene (Gene) and Wilma Mirus Pliley. Her dad moved the family to Glasgow, Mont. in 1947. She met her lifelong soul mate, Oscar J. Lighthizer there and they were married in 1954. They lived and raised their family in the Tampico area west of Glasgow.

Soon after the children left the nest, she took a job with the Glasgow office of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, where she worked until 1990 when she was offered a promotion which required her to move to Helena. There she worked for the DNRC until her retirement in 2000. Following retirement, she continued to make Helena her home, working on the restoration of the Steele House and pursuing her many hobbies.

Always keeping busy, she loved to do needlepoint, crochet and make beautiful leaded-glass panes. She loved having her family near and cherished the many family gatherings over the years. She always had a soft spot for four-legged creatures and dearly loved her many pets.

She is survived by two brothers, Don and his wife, Joann, and Bill and his wife, Wilma, both of Glasgow; two daughters, Marina Engels and her husband, Rick, of Bellingham, Wash., and Lynda Davis and her husband, Donnie, of Helena; two sons, Terry of Glasgow and Ken and his wife, Georgina, of Madison Twp, Pa .; six grandchildren, Bob, Cory, David, Becky, Matt and Tyanne and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Oscar; three brothers, Theo "Bud", Rex and Phillip; and her daughter-in-law Terry Lynn.

Never one to have a fuss made over her, Vivian requested donations be made in her name to St. Peter's Hospice. Please visit http://www.retzfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Vivian.