Elizabeth Quinn Love Vanica

Liz Vanica broke through the bonds of earth on Friday, Oct. 11, 2013, and was immediately enfolded into the arms of Jesus.

Liz was born in Allentown, Pa., on July 30, 1926, to Captain Edward J. and Elizabeth Howard Quinn. After graduating from Allentown High School in 1943, she matriculated at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia from which she graduated in 1946 with a degree in Industrial Psychology. She was inducted as a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority while at Penn.

In July, 1946, she married Richard Love Jr. and they moved to Baltimore where Liz worked in the service department of C&P Telephone Company. In 1962, they moved to Cumberland, Md., and Liz was a teacher at St. Peter and Paul school for 12 years. Liz and Dick returned to Baltimore in 1976, and for 15 years, Liz worked in the computer department at Monumental Life's home office testing new systems to be used throughout the company.

Dick retired in 1990 and they moved to Lakeland, Fla., where he passed away a year later. Liz stayed in Lakeland for 10 years, during which time she was on the Board of Directors for the Sandpiper Golf and Country Club. She was also an editor of the community newspaper and was very active in the Lakeland Little Theater Group.

Liz met Bruce Vanica in 1999, and she moved to Billings, where they got married in 2001. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America and a volunteer with RSVP. She loved all kinds of music, theater, reading, elderhostel and traveling.

Preceding her to heaven were her parents, her first husband and her sister, Margaret Quinn Schlerf.

She is survived by her six children, Mary Catherine Thackston (Tom) of Memphis, Richard Love of Oakland, Edward Love of Thailand, Anne Love Blanchard (Steve) of Ventura, Calif., Andrew Love (Lisa) of Ellicott City, Md., and Amy Love Wilder of New Windsor, Md. She is also survived by eight grandchildren. In addition, she is survived by her husband, Bruce, and his seven children: Sue in Pensacola, Fla., Kay in Santa Rosa, Calif., Joy in Detroit, Mich., Lee in Billings, Ray in Phoenix, Ariz., Don in Billings and Amy in Great Falls.

"It's been so very nice to have had this time together and have a laugh and song or two. But, now, it's time to say 'so long.' "

Visitation of Liz will begin Tuesday from noon to 5 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Vigil services will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17, at Dahl Funeral Chapel and funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 18, at St. Pius X Church.

Arrangements are in the care of Dahl Funeral Chapel and memories may be shared with the family at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com.