Born August 25, 1936 in Detroit. She was preceded in death by her dear brother Joseph Lawrence Buell III of Hinsdale, IL. and her loving, accomplished husband, Dr. Harold J. Drinkaus, (Hal), of Millcreek, formerly Detroit.
Bizzi was fearless, humble, witty, well-educated, devout, conservative in bridge, and liberal in giving love, smiles and uplifting comments. She was very spiritual and lived her life committed to Christ. She found such joy in her grandchildren and dearly loved her whole family carrying them in her heart, and a small photo book in her purse, everywhere she went! Bizzi was a wonderful soul.
Bizzi was a longtime, active member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church (OSLC) in Millcreek, a church she loved especially for its sincere congregation. She was a Stephen’s Minister, cared for homeless families with Family Promise, and up to her last year with us she continued to greet people, knit edging on blankets for Covered in Prayer Ministry, and run the media during service, active in social ministries and missions committee, worship and music committee. She loved to attend Bible studies and served on the OSLC council as Vice President.
Previously, she and Hal were a part of Evangelical Free Church assisting in the foundation of Intermountain Christian School, and board members of Teen Challenge, and prayer group leaders in Bible Study Fellowship International.
Bizzi, with a close friend and art cohort, were the first docents to complete 35 years serving the UMFA, where she also served in many other leadership roles. She was an engaged member of the Utah Chapter of PEO, an organization providing scholarships to women for education. Bizzi was an active member of various literary clubs, most recently Daria. A Salt Lake tour guide for many years, often for French speaking visitors, Bizzi was also an ambassador for the United States as a tour guide during the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City. Earlier. She traveled and taught English in China and worked as support on a medical mission to Vietnam with Hal. She, Hal and the children lived in Kinshasa, Zaire (Democratic Republic of Congo), as Hal worked as a physician training physicians and Bizzi as his support team leader.
Bizzi will be dearly missed by her son, Phillip and daughter-in-law Rebecca Drinkaus, and, her daughter Lawrie Drinkaus-Arias and her grandchildren Jaku, Wayra, Sacha, Mason, and Maren. She is survived by her sister, Eleanor Buell Stephenson and her sister-in-law, Sandra Smith Buell, as well as her many nieces, nephews and dear friends all of whom she cherished.
Bizzi will continue on as “Our Greatest Cheerleader”, a job she lived as her most important position, and now passes that intention to us. We will do our best to live by her example.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 4, 2019 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 2500 East 3900 South, Salt Lake City, Utah. For a more complete story of Bizzi’s life, visit www.wasatchlawn.com. In Lieu of flowers please send donations to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Family Promise, U of U Museum of Fine Arts, or PEO Utah Chapter.
