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Elizabeth Longaker Obituary
1944 ~ 2011
Elizabeth passed away peacefully on November 7, 2011 at her home in Salt Lake City, Utah at the age of 67. She was born on July 28, 1944 in Great Falls, Montana to Robert Andrew and Helen Evaline Phillips Shaffer. She was the sixth of fifteen children blessed with seven sisters and seven brothers. Her family moved to Utah in 1949 where she graduated from South High School in Salt Lake City. She served an honorable mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to the British South Mission. Throughout her life she was a faithful and valiant servant and had an immense love for her Savior and His church.
On June 28, 1968 she married John Douglas Longaker Sr., later divorced. In their time together she gave birth to eleven children instilling love and hope in them all. Elizabeth very much enjoyed being a mother. It was a role that defined her in so many wonderful ways. Beyond her own children and grandchildren, she treasured all little ones and truly found joy in their innocence and sweetness.
In addition to her primary role as a mother, she enjoyed one job in particular, working for the LDS Church in the Architecture and Engineering department. Closeness to wonderful people was a fringe benefit that couldn't be measured.
Elizabeth enjoyed singing everywhere from home to the church choir to the Choral Arts Society of Utah and the Salt Lake Symphonic Choir. She created her own music and lyrics and gave her children the opportunity to enjoy it with her. Her favorite movies included those with beautiful music and lyrics like Yentl, South Pacific, and the Sound of Music.
She is survived by all of her 11 children: John (Lorie), Matt (Cricket), Adam (Erin), Anne Farabee, Charity Mair, Emily (Brian) Weidmer, Tom (Liz), Sarah, Joe (Madison), Jim, and David along with 23 (plus one on the way) grandchildren. She is also survived by all 14 of her loving sisters and brothers who were her greatest friends and supporters. Finally she leaves behind many, many, many (over 100) wonderful nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her granddaughter Emma Jane who have all welcomed her home with open arms and hearts.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2011 at 11 am in the Millcreek 8th Ward, 4558 S. 600 E., Murray, Utah. Friends and family are invited to gather and pay their respects or share memories at the same location on Friday, November 11th from 6-8 pm and on Saturday, November 12th from 9:45-10:45 am. Interment will follow services at the Holladay Memorial Park (4900 S. Memory Lane, Holladay, Utah) under direction of Anderson & Sons Mortuary. Online memories and condolences may be shared at andersonmortuary.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Elizabeth Longaker
Gary Thompson
November 16, 2011
Dear Family of Elizabeth,
My wife and I just learned of Elizabeth'a passing. We have many wonderful memories of you all and especially Elizabeth. She did not have a bad bone in her body. She loved you all and especially little children. I'm sure she is well taken care of where she is. If you keep the commandments and continue to love one another, you will be reunited some day. We send you our love.
Elder Gary and Sister Diane Thompson
Australia, Adelaide Mission
Mildura Branch
Elaine Clark
November 12, 2011
You were just alittle girl when your family moved onto Blaine Ave. yor Sister Pearl & I bcame good friends for along time. I know you are now with you parents. May God bess all of you family now.Rest in peace.
Mary Ellen Davick
November 12, 2011
To the "Shafer 15" and families,
Just want you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. Uncle Bob and Aunt Helen began a wonderful legacy and we are glad for the days we have rubbed shoulders and shared our common bonds.
Mary Ellen (Phillips) Davick and family
Robert D Phillips
November 12, 2011
Elizabeth,
You were older and more mature than I, and I didn't know you as well as your younger brothers and sisters. The entire Shaffer family is so wonderful, and you will be sorely missed by everyone in the close and distant family, You have all set a true example of how a family should function.
Your cousin,
Daryl Phillips
Orlando, FL
Matt Longaker
November 11, 2011
Mommy,
I am missing you so much right now. I see so many lives that you've positively affected. One in particular is mine. I owe so much to you. You gave me so much to make me who I am. I love you.
Matt
Sharon Christopulos Sutton
November 11, 2011
Elizabeth and I were friends at South High School, and graduated together in 1962. She was a very sweet girl. I lost track of her after that, but have thought of her many times through the years. My deepest sympathy and prayers go out to her family.
Don Hansen
November 11, 2011
I don't know why I opened Elizabeth's obituary, other than she was a fellow South High grad. I never knew her, but I was so deeply touched by her story here. Such a lovely lady, she seems. I believe a light has been shining among us that I was not privileged to meet. May God bless your family in her absence. Take comfort that such a Lady is not lost to us, only separated for a small moment.
Karen Marchant Derbidge
November 10, 2011
Dear family of Elizabeth, I worked with Elizabeth at the LDS Church in the Architecture and Engineering Department where we enjoyed a lot of good times together. She was always generous and loving to everyone she met. We also graduated from South High School together and sang in the choirs together. I truly have missed her since she retired from Church employment and will always have a soft spot in my heart for her.
By the way, I also come from a family of 15 but was the 14 child (7 brothers and 7 sisters). We loved South High and LDS Church employment. She had more children than me. I had 9 children.
Karen Marchant (Mrs. Ross F.) Derbidge
Vicky Christ
November 10, 2011
Dear Auntie Elizabeth I will miss you dearly, All my love, Vicky.
Nadean Hall
November 10, 2011
Liz and Tom;
I am so sorry for your loss. You are both in my thoughts and in my prayers.
Love you both,
Nadean
Ben Shaffer
November 10, 2011
My Dear Sister Elizabeth,
Thank you for your goodness and example, with your simple acts of love and kindness. Memories of you will long be remembered. May you continue to know of our love for you. Till we meet again,
Love,
BJ
November 10, 2011
To Elizabeth's Family,
I worked with Elizabeth in the Architecture & Engineering Department for 9 years. It was a pleasure and a great blessing to be one of her friends. She was a very loving and a sweet person to all who she served at Church Headquarters. She will be greatly missed. My prayers and thoughts are with Elizabeth's family at this time. But know she is having a wonderful reunion with loved ones and is in the arms of our Heavenly Father. DeeAnn Williams
Carolynn Shaffer
November 10, 2011
Dear Sweet Elizabeth, we will miss you!
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