Elizabeth Harwick Gruber

04/22/1939 - 04/22/2011

GRUBER,
Elizabeth
Harwick "Liz"

Of Spokane, Washington, died on April 22, 2011, her 72nd birthday, of com-plications from multiple myeloma.

Liz was born on April 22, 1939 in Rochester, Minne-sota, to John William Harwick and Linda Rollins Harwick. She graduated from Kemper Hall in Kenosha, Wisconsin in 1957 and attended the University of Wyoming and graduated from the Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School in New York City. In 1960, Liz settled in California and married the late Alan "Scott" Gruber of Walla Walla, Washington, where their four sons were born. Liz and Scott relocated their family to Spokane to where, after the loss of their infant son to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), they were actively involved in counseling parents who had lost children under similar circumstances. She also volunteered for KSPS-TV and the Children's Home Society. Liz and Scott divorced in 1979, but remained friends until his death in 2010. She worked for several years employed for the Ridpath Hotel and Eastern Washington University before working as an executive assistant to corporate executives in Denver and Boulder, Colorado; Seattle, Washington and Portland, Oregon. In 2005, Liz returned to Spokane to enjoy retirement near her eldest son and his family.

Liz was a devoted grandmother who was notable for her quick wit and hearty laugh. She will be missed by family, friends and neighbors. Liz is survived by her three sons Jeffrey (Delaine) of Spokane, William (Gabrielle) of Southborough, MA, and Michael (Gretchen) of Washington DC; two sisters, two brothers, seven grandchildren, and her beloved animals Nicky (dog), Bart (cat) and Heather (cat).

She is preceded in death by her parents and a son, Timothy Moore Gruber.

The family would like to express their deep appreciation to Dr. Hakan Kaya, his fellow doctors, nurses and staff at Cancer Care Northwest and Providence Saint Joseph's Care Center for their hard work and reassuring care.

Memorials may be made to Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. A celebration of Liz's life will be held at the Davenport Hotel on May 21st from 4:00-6:00.