Obituary: MCFARLANE, ELIZABETH

Elizabeth Leslie Simkins McFarlaneDecember 13, 1941 ~ July 12, 2013Elizabeth Leslie Simkins McFarlane, 71, returned home to her Heavenly Father July 12, 2013. Our beautiful, caring mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend passed peacefully surrounded by her loving family. Elizabeth (Liz) was born in Stevenston, Ayrshire Scotland on December 13, 1941 to Alexander Kerr and Elizabeth Buchanan Leslie. At the age of seven, she immigrated to Salt Lake City, UT with her parents and younger sister, Margaret. Liz graduated from Olympus High School in 1959. She worked as an administrative assistant most of her life and retired from Prudential Securities. Liz married Dick J. Simkins on July 28, 1961, (later sealed in the LDS temple) and they were blessed with a precious daughter, Elizabeth Ann. Dick passed away November 1962. On September 2, 1964, Liz married H. Nyle McFarlane and they had three beautiful children: Brett Nyle, Melissa Joy, and Deborah Lyn. They later divorced.Liz loved spending time with her family, reading mysteries (she always figured them out before the end of the book), crocheting, traveling, learning, laughing, and anything Scottish. Liz had a great sense of humor that made all who knew her smile. She suffered from severe rheumatoid arthritis for 45 years, yet kept a positive attitude that amazed us all. Liz had a profound faith and love of the Lord, and served in many LDS church callings. She taught us to be compassionate and generous to those in need and to always keep our, "chin up."Liz was preceded in death by her parents and spouses. She is survived by her four children, Annie (John) Bradshaw, Brett (Susan) McFarlane, Melissa (Kendall) Hunt, and Deborah McFarlane, sixteen grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, plus her siblings: Maggie (Bill) Nicholes, Bill (Kim) Leslie, and Fred (Kelleen) Leslie; and her uncle Fredrick S. Buchanan.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Elizabeth's name at www. arthritis.org under the purple donate flag skim to Honor and Memorials, then click on Elizabeth McFarlane. A viewing will be held on Tuesday, July 16 from 6-8 P.M. at Holladay Cottonwood Mortuary, 4670 South Highland Drive and Wednesday, July 17 from 9:30-10:30 A.M. at the Holladay 24th Ward, 4395 Albright Drive. Funeral services to follow at 11:00 A.M.