Elizabeth Marie Andrews ‘Liz’ died Jan. 3, 2019 at age 82. She was born in Helena, Montana to Bill and Marie Fahrner on Sept, 19, 1936.
Liz grew up in Helena and graduated from Helena High in 1954. She went on to college at MSU in Missoula, which is now the University of Montana, and majored in Business Administration. Liz was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. It was at school that Liz met her husband Lee Andrews and they were married, after both had graduated, in August of 1959.
Later, Lee had a military obligation to fulfill and was accepted in the Navy’s Aviation Officer Program and went into the flight training program in Pensacola, Florida. Liz soon joined him there, they then moved to Milton, Fla. Next they were transferred to Corpus Christi, Texas where Lee completed his flight training. Their first son Eric W. Andrews was born there in the Naval Hospital. After that they were transferred to NAS Barber’s Point in Hawaii. At first Liz was a bit skeptical about ‘leaving the country’, but it didn’t take long to appreciate the opportunity, and was delighted to be there and to make many new friends that were also Navy wives.
After completing the five year tour in the military, Liz and Lee returned home to Helena to participate in the family manufacturing business, Armor Metal Products. After Liz’s parents passed in 1975 and 1984, Lee and Liz assumed management of the company. Liz became full-time Secretary/Treasurer, plus bookkeeper, and all-round office manager. Liz absolutely excelled at these duties and took great pride in her work. It was during this period that the family was blessed with a second son Michael L. Andrews born in 1969. Somehow Liz was able to manage both family and work, and give her best to both, especially family. Liz was a member of P.E.O. and enjoyed participating in their good works with such nice friends.
One particular activity that Liz delighted in was getting a larger boat that had amenities for overnight camping and cooking. With a dock at the Gates of the Mountains Boat Club, it became like a summer place. The kids loved it, swimming, catching perch, crawdads and other things around the dock and shoreline. Plus, some of the folks met there became long-time close friends. Liz had many other activities and interests. She loved to read, made regular library runs, liked crosswords, and kept up with current events. Another fun activity while the boys were growing up was skiing, particularly spring break vacations to places like Grand Targhee and Jackson Hole. Another special highlight for Liz was a wonderful 50th anniversary gift from son Mike, of a week-long visit to Philadelphia and Washington DC., with all the sights, tours, and dinners. Yet another was a week-long trip to New Orleans for son Mike’s wedding, accompanied by a couple who are close family friends.
Liz greatly enjoyed gardening, and after Lee excavated a deep garden and filled it with topsoil, she was able to grow all manner of fresh vegetables for the table. Liz was a wonderful, knowledgeable cook and baker, and thoroughly enjoyed serving up delicious meals to family and friends. She loved everything about cooking, firmly believed in having plenty, and was always researching new recipes, to everyone’s benefit.
Liz was everything anyone could ever ask for in a wife, mother or friend, always cheerful, always friendly, always helpful, always thoughtful, always loving, and always kind. She will be so greatly missed.
Liz was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Marie Fahrner, and her son Eric W. Andrews. She is survived by her husband Lee Andrews, son Michael and his wife Mayu Andrews, and grandson Eric F. Andrews.
Liz’s family would like to express their sincere thanks and appreciation to all the medical staff, the EMT’s, The ER doctors and nurses, the entire team of doctors, nurses, and aides, at the St Peters Health complex who all worked compassionately to treat, care for, and comfort Liz so well. A very special thank you to the many wonderful friends and neighbors, who offered support and so much assistance in being there with Liz. The family was truly blessed to have such an outpouring of help through this difficult time.
A celebration of her life will take place 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 10, 2019 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. in Helena. A reception will follow the service in the funeral home social hall. The burial will follow the reception at Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Angel Fund, P.O. Box 7436, Helena, MT 59604, or to P.E.O., P.O. Box 811 Helena, MT 59624, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Liz.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
11:00 a.m.
Thursday January 10, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
After the service
Thursday January 10, 2019
Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
After the reception
Thursday January 10, 2019
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heroe's Rd.
Ft. Harrison, Montana 59636
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
11:00 a.m.
Thursday January 10, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
After the service
Thursday January 10, 2019
Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
After the reception
Thursday January 10, 2019
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heroe's Rd.
Ft. Harrison, Montana 59636
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Jon Axline says
Mrs Andrews was one of the neighborhood moms onon the 400 block of South California Street in the late 1960s and 1970s. Those were great times and I remember her with fondness. I don’t recall any instances of her getting mad at us and respect her patience during all those Sunday afternoons we watched bad science fiction movies in her living room. My heartfelt condolences to Lee and Mike.
Bill McClay says
I did not know Liz except through the stories and personality of my friend, her remarkable son Mike, but that alone is enough to make me mourn her loss. All my best wishes, at this hard time, to both Lee and Mike.
Cory Andrews says
Simply put, they don’t make women like Liz Andrews anymore. Her legend will live long after her. She had bottomless grace, good sense, and was as solid as they come. And she could cook a grizzly bear, make it taste great, and have you asking for seconds. Lee and Mike were blessed to know her better than anyone else. And they will need to draw on her strength, imparted to them over the years, in the days and years to come.
Marcia K. Wall says
Liz Andrews was a pillar of strength, kindness, grace and my lovely friend. We met many years ago as members of PEO, Chapter O. She had a great sense of humor seeing the funny side of life! When Eric passed away, she was devastated and then my son Cleve drowned 4 1/2 years ago; she was so kind and compassionate to me. We cried together on the phone when calling to announce a Chapter O meeting. Her back pain prevented her from attending our meetings the last couple of years and I missed her greatly. I’m profoundly sorry to Lee, Michael and family for losing such an earth Angel. She will be remembered always and holds a special place in my heart. May God Bless you all and remember she wants you to be happy and continue that great sense of humor!
Barb Olsen says
Liz was a wonderful neighbor to us for many years when my children were young. She was sweet, thoughtful, knowledgeable, generous and always there with advice, love and guidance. My heartfelt condolences to Mike and Lee. She has been held fondly in my heart since we moved from beside you and she will continue to live there.
Jack Guipre says
Liz was also a terrific Jeopardy player, and I have fond memories of sitting around the Andrews’ kitchen table watching Jeopardy and being soundly beaten by Liz, Lee and Mike. The Andrews family were a boisterous, fun-loving group of contestants with good competitive banter always at the ready. As many have already attested, she was also a wonderful person, wife, mother, friend, host, cook, and concocter of cocktails, who loved the teasing attention of my oldest friend and her son Mike. My heartfelt condolences to the Andrews family.
Jennifer (Crawford) Hamilton says
My Dad, Ron, worked for Liz and Lee for many years. I remember going to Armor Metal when I was little. Liz was always so nice, finding us kids treats or fun things to do. Sorry for your loss. She was a very kind woman.
Mayu Andrews says
My mother-in-law will always be an inspiration. She would embrace me as any daughter would wish to be embraced by a mother. She always assuaged my insecurities of being a wife and a mother by saying, “It’s all right dearie. You’re doing the right thing.”
I will most miss our Sunday night FaceTime calls when she would tirelessly listen to minute updates on her grandson and patiently watch Eric as he played with the alphabet board she sent him for his birthday. The love she had in her eyes as she looked at her son, Mike, will always be my motivation and shining example to emulate as a mother.
Rubys all says
See you at sundown, Liz.
Sharon Jones White says
During the 1970s I was employed at Armor Metal Products in the office and came to know Liz and Lee as well as Bill and Marie Fahrner. How saddened I am to learn the world has lost a wonderful lady such as Liz. The entire family was SO good to me. Liz was very dedicated to learning the business and was such a beautiful soul to work with. If she has to leave this Earth, I’m so glad to know that she’s going to the arms of Jesus.