Mary Elizabeth Fieldstead

Mary Elizabeth Fieldstead, known as “Liz” to most and “Betty Barnes” to a few from the early days, passed away peacefully with family by her side on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at approximately 5:30 p.m. at Schneidmiller Hospice House in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Liz was 79 years old and fought a strong and courageous 18-month battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born in Yakima, Washington, and grew up there before moving to Leavenworth, Washington, and later to Cashmere, Washington, where she graduated from high school in 1964. She briefly attended Yakima Valley Community College and later became a successful bookkeeper, working for many Yakima Valley farmers and business owners. She later changed careers and served as a 911 operator and police and fire dispatcher in Bellevue, Washington.

Liz was preceded in death by her husband and boating partner, Tom Fieldstead. Together, they had two children: Debbi (Bryan) Chufo of Okatie, South Carolina, and Jill Farman of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

One of Liz’s greatest joys and responsibilities was her role as Oma. Her proud grandchildren are Tori Allen and Michayla Chufo of Okatie, South Carolina; Kaiti Allen (Austin) of Ogden, Utah; TJ Farman of Auburn, Washington; and Riley Farman of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Liz was also blessed with her first great-grandchild, Noah, also of Ogden, Utah.

At Liz’s adamant request of her daughters, there will not be a memorial service. The celebration of our mother’s life will continue every day, as she brought us so much love, kindness, and most definitely laughter. Cheers to you, sweet Mama! Enjoy this next step of retirement, where the drinks are cold—"with crushed ice"—the cigs are plenty “only two a day, girls,” and hopefully Dad is wearing his hearing aids. We love you!