Long time Helena resident Vivian Ann Lighthizer passed away peacefully with her family at her side on Dec 5, 2016 after a lengthy illness.
Born in Oklahoma June 14, 1937, the only daughter of Herbert Eugene (Gene) and Wilma Mirus Pliley. Her Dad moved the family to Glasgow, Montana 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 needle point, 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 (Joann) and Bill (Wilma) both of Glasgow; two daughters, Marina Engels (Rick) of Bellingham, WA, and Lynda Davis (Donnie) of Helena; two sons, Terry of Glasgow and Ken (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; our father, 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 below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Vivian.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Bill Salisbury says
My condolences to Vivian’s family especially Lynda and Bill and Wilma who have been there for Vivian for a long time. She was a “feisty” woman to say the least and I can understand her wishes to not have a fuss made over her.
Kim Overcast says
Hello to Vivian’s family. I worked with Vivian at DNRC for 22 years. She was a treat to work with! In the early years, she and I worked together to come up with a better way to track water right applications and people were so impressed that no one offered any other ideas. We had fun with that for many years and we were certain that we should always team up if we wanted folks to do something a certain way! I’m sorry for your loss. Kim Overcast