Elizabeth Rhinesmith, 74, passed away peacefully February 25, 2024, in a local care center. She was born August 11, 1949, and was baptized and raised as a member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. She attended Bountiful High School and graduated in 1967. After high school, running rivers became her lifestyle, and she took frequent trips down the Colorado River and Green River as a river guide. She traveled to Ecuador to further pursue her passion before returning to Salt Lake City where she was employed by the Bongo Lounge, Ideal Concrete, and Savage Brothers.
Liz loved animals. Her beloved border collie, Ruby, was a constant companion and fierce protector. After Ruby passed away, Liz adored and nurtured cats. Most recently, her black cat Betsy was constantly by her side. She enjoyed coffee with her cousins and family gatherings. We miss her.
Elizabeth is survived by her nephew, Tony Rhinesmith (Julie) and their children and grandchildren, her niece, Tammy Bills (David) and their children and grandchild; several first cousins including Marie Schulthies (Ron), Loretta McHugh (Mike), and Mary Rhodes (Ken Dillon), Dennis Hynes, Katherine Zagota, Christine Denton (Rob); and members of the Reid, Deneris, Cherry, Hynes, Riley, and Hill families. Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, Goldie Katris Rhinesmith and Joseph Rhinesmith, and her brother, George Rhinesmith.
We thank City Creek Care Center for their attention to Liz. We extend gratitude to Tony, who was devoted during her stay, and to Tammy, who has been a careful manager of her affairs for many years. A private graveside service will be held. Instead of flowers, Liz would have loved contributions to the Humane Society of Utah.
I spentt the first 8 years of my life living two doors away from Lizzie. My sister, Mary, and I played together with her all the time. We loved her old barn and all the fields around our houses. She gave me an abandoned wasps nest to take to school for show and tell. She told us stories of chickens running around her yard after they chopped their heads off so they could eat them for dinner. She also showed us her wonderful Christmas decorations that made bubbles inside glass tubes. She would often tell us that her grandma was born in Greece. She was so proud of this. I was confused, not knowing Greece was a country. I thought it was strange that anyone would want to be born in grease! I loved being with her. Years later I ran into her at a party. It was fun to know my husband knew her from various social gatherings. I will always think of her with fondness.
