Elizabeth Patricia Thorning

Elizabeth Patricia “Liz” Thorning, 90, longtime Edmonds resident and widow of Tom Thorning, passed away on October 2, 2024, at her home in Lynnwood.

Liz Thorning was born in Manhattan, New York, on March 17, 1934, the daughter of Stefano and Pura (Martinez) Irizarry. She was raised in her formative years by the Sisters of the Franciscan Order in Peekskill, NY. She left Peekskill in her junior year of high school, and moved with her family to Bronx, NY, where she attended Roosevelt High School. She started her career in security as a store detective, working at the flagship Macy’s Department Store, located in Herald Square, Manhattan.

She met Tom Thorning in 1963, while he was in New York on a special assignment for Boeing. They married and moved to Seattle eleven months later. In Seattle, Liz continued working in security for the Bon Marche. In 1976, she left Bon Marche to become a Washington State Enforcement Officer for the Liquor Control Board, being the first woman hired in that position.

For ten years, Liz volunteered for the King County Court System as a Court Appointed Child Advocate (CASA). She also volunteered at the Seattle Indian Center, where she served on the Board of Directors. While in these roles, she often travelled to Washington DC to lobby for Urban Indian causes.

Liz was a member of Holy Rosary Parish in Edmonds and did volunteer work on various church committees. She was also a member and a three-time past president of The Edmonds Welcomers. Liz was a 21year breast cancer survivor and was blessed with good times with her family and friends during that time.

Liz is preceded in death by her husband Tom, after 45 years of marriage; her parents; son, Tim; and daughter-in-law, Jennifer. She leaves behind her 5 children, Rick (Sue) Thorning, Tom (Teri) Thorning, Margo (BG) Lemmon, Michael (Eileen) Thorning, Rob Thorning, and daughter-in-law Rani Thorning; 13 grandchildren; and 5 great grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, November 15th at 11 AM, at Becks Tribute Center, 405 5th Ave S, Edmonds WA. Interment at Holyrood Catholic Cemetery, Shoreline. In lieu of flowers, Liz requested that donations be made to the Cancer Research Society, or a charity of choice.