Liz passed away suddenly on July 24, 2018 in Ruth, of a heart related illness. She is survived by Nancy Curran, her life partner of 22 years, her parents Janet and Steve Buckmaster, and brother David Buckmaster of Troutdale, Oregon, grandmother Agnes Buckmaster of Yreka, California, brother Fred Riley and niece and nephew Haley and John Riley of Potter Valley, and her loving dogs, cat, and 2 ravens. She also leaves behind her beloved community of Ruth and the designated Angel of Ruth, Ron Ables.

Liz was born in Ukiah on December 16, 1968. She lived in Ukiah until she was 9 and then moved to Portland, where she resided until she was about 27. Liz worked numerous jobs while in Portland, but one of her favorites was taking care of special needs adults. In 1997, with some friends, she returned to Laytonville to help arrange the sale of her grandparents’ home. It was during this time she found an ad in the paper advertising a rental cabin at Littlefield Ranch in Ruth, and after that the rest is history. She met Nancy and lived in Ruth the rest of her life, except for a two-year hiatus in Willow Creek.

Liz loved kids, dogs, old people, ladybugs, hummingbirds, Dodge pickups, Shasta daisies, weeping willows, cross-country train trips, All in the Family’s Edith Bunker, Patsy Cline’s “Walkin’ After Midnight”, funny animal videos, violist Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons”, Seattle Seahawks, Foxfire books, exploring local mountain backroads, cutting firewood, occasionally wearing a dress, spring and fall in Ruth, and ice cold Natty Lights. She treasured her friendships and was a loyal friend to many. When needed, Liz had no problem speaking her mind and on occasion was known to “spar” in defense of a principle or another person. For many years, she actively participated in fund raising for the Ruth kids Christmas and Easter parties, and was a fierce collector of aluminum cans to help fund gifts for the kids. She also helped facilitate Christmas dinner distribution to locals in need via the Southern Trinity Health Services. Liz was an icon in Ruth and was seen daily at the Ruth Store “table” or front bench checking her phone, visiting with friends, buying kids ice cream, or handing out doggie treats (every dog in town knew Liz’s purse was packed full of dog cookies). If dogs had an “Ordained Saint”, that would be Liz; she connected many a needy dog to a loving home, including her own.

Liz is preceded in death by her brother, Christopher Buckmaster (Troutdale, Oregon), her uncle George Whitcomb, and grandparents Clair and Elizabeth Whitcomb (Laytonville), grandfather Marvin Buckmaster (Yreka), and father Hank Grothe and grandparents Fred and Mildred Grothe (Ukiah).

A Celebration of Life BBQ for Liz will be held Saturday, October 27, starting at 2 p.m. at the Ruth Store. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Southern Trinity Area Rescue (STAR), the Trinity County Animal Shelter, or the Ruth kids Christmas and Easter funds.

###

The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Liz Curran’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.