Obituary for Elizabeth Dorreen "Liz" Rinehart
Elizabeth “Liz” Dorreen Rinehart, age 74, loving wife, mother, and grandmother, formerly of Weston, WV, peacefully went to be with our Lord on Friday, June 16, 2023, surrounded by her family at her home in Bridgeport, WV.
Liz was born August 30, 1948, in Exeter Hospital, Devon in Southwest England to the late Robert Roberton and Colleen (Roberton) Samson. Liz immigrated to the United States in January 1955, where she settled in New Martinsville, WV with her mother and younger brother Carlton at her maternal grandparents’ home. She would graduate from Magnolia High School, New Martinsville, in 1966.
In addition to her mom, she was met at heaven’s gate by her dear brother Carly, her maternal grandparents Gran and Grampy (Jessie and Edward) Tucker and her late aunt (Dorreen Cain) and uncles (Ted, Bill, and Derek Tucker) who loved her like a sister. Liz is survived by her best friend and love of her life for 53 years, Robert “Bob” Rinehart and her children: Alan Rinehart of Oklahoma, Jessica and husband Daniel Ware of Weston, and Bronwyn and husband Josh Wilson of Elizabethtown, KY. Also surviving are the delight of her life these past few years, her grandchildren, Elizabeth and Jarrett Wilson, who brought her so much joy. Her beloved Uncle Al and Aunt Liva Tucker of Buckhannon, Aunt Ann Tucker in England, her brother Phillip Patterson of Lewis County and her dearest friend Irene Blair formerly of Weston also survive. Liz leaves behind a multitude of wonderful friends whom she dearly loved and enriched her life immensely.
An amazing wife and mom; a consummate professional; a fun, caring and loyal friend; cats, dogs, and other animals’ best friend; a smitten grandmother; and a woman of great faith all describe Liz. She was one of the hardest working people you would ever meet. She did nothing half-heartedly. Early in life, she decided to pursue nursing, which was so appropriate for such a caring person. She earned her Registered Nursing degree from the Davis and Elkins College School of Nursing. For the next forty plus years, she would work at Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital, William Sharpe Hospital, and Lewis County Home Health with most of that time working in the emergency room where she could help those most in need of care.
Throughout her life, Liz loved cooking, traveling, flower gardening, hosting family get togethers, having lunches with friends, and playing cards and board games. Most of all, Liz loved to laugh and she had the most wonderful laugh. Liz always made everyone feel welcomed and loved. Over the years, Liz’s love for animals resulted in many stray cats and dogs finding a welcoming home. There were probably lots of wagging tails and kitty’s meowing last Friday when Liz showed up at heaven’s gate. Liz also had a particular love for elephants, especially old and abused ones. One of her many charities has been an elephant sanctuary in Tennessee.
Liz’s joys for the past few years of her life were Elizabeth and Jarrett, and her faith. Like most grandparents, she could not get enough of her grandchildren. Up until she became ill, Bob and Liz were constantly on the road to see them. They made her life complete.
Liz’s faith was strong. She would say how fortunate she was that her mother always took her to church as a young girl, something she continued her entire life. A devout Christian, she always found comfort and guidance from her belief and love of God. She often said, “I don’t know where I would be without God.” For over 50 years, she attended St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Weston. For the past few years, she attended Horizons Church in Lost Creek, which is where she found a group of Christian women called “The Steel Magnolias,” who greatly strengthened her faith and love of God. Liz’s family are so grateful for their love and support of Liz.
The family would also like to thank the staff of the United Hospital Center’s Encompass Rehabilitation Unit for their wonderful care of Liz, the kind support provided by the Amedisys Hospice Care in Bridgeport, and Hardman Family Funeral Home in Weston for handling all the funeral arrangements.
A celebration of life will be held for Liz at Horizons Church in Lost Creek, WV on Friday, June 23rd with fellowship beginning at 12pm followed by a service at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations made to Liz’s favorite charity, The Elephant Sanctuary, PO Box 393, Hohenwald, TN 38462. Online condolences and life stories in memory of Liz may be expressed at hardmanfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Hardman Family Funeral Home of Weston considers it an honor and a privilege to serve the family of Elizabeth “Liz” Dorreen Rinehart.
Liz was born August 30, 1948, in Exeter Hospital, Devon in Southwest England to the late Robert Roberton and Colleen (Roberton) Samson. Liz immigrated to the United States in January 1955, where she settled in New Martinsville, WV with her mother and younger brother Carlton at her maternal grandparents’ home. She would graduate from Magnolia High School, New Martinsville, in 1966.
In addition to her mom, she was met at heaven’s gate by her dear brother Carly, her maternal grandparents Gran and Grampy (Jessie and Edward) Tucker and her late aunt (Dorreen Cain) and uncles (Ted, Bill, and Derek Tucker) who loved her like a sister. Liz is survived by her best friend and love of her life for 53 years, Robert “Bob” Rinehart and her children: Alan Rinehart of Oklahoma, Jessica and husband Daniel Ware of Weston, and Bronwyn and husband Josh Wilson of Elizabethtown, KY. Also surviving are the delight of her life these past few years, her grandchildren, Elizabeth and Jarrett Wilson, who brought her so much joy. Her beloved Uncle Al and Aunt Liva Tucker of Buckhannon, Aunt Ann Tucker in England, her brother Phillip Patterson of Lewis County and her dearest friend Irene Blair formerly of Weston also survive. Liz leaves behind a multitude of wonderful friends whom she dearly loved and enriched her life immensely.
An amazing wife and mom; a consummate professional; a fun, caring and loyal friend; cats, dogs, and other animals’ best friend; a smitten grandmother; and a woman of great faith all describe Liz. She was one of the hardest working people you would ever meet. She did nothing half-heartedly. Early in life, she decided to pursue nursing, which was so appropriate for such a caring person. She earned her Registered Nursing degree from the Davis and Elkins College School of Nursing. For the next forty plus years, she would work at Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital, William Sharpe Hospital, and Lewis County Home Health with most of that time working in the emergency room where she could help those most in need of care.
Throughout her life, Liz loved cooking, traveling, flower gardening, hosting family get togethers, having lunches with friends, and playing cards and board games. Most of all, Liz loved to laugh and she had the most wonderful laugh. Liz always made everyone feel welcomed and loved. Over the years, Liz’s love for animals resulted in many stray cats and dogs finding a welcoming home. There were probably lots of wagging tails and kitty’s meowing last Friday when Liz showed up at heaven’s gate. Liz also had a particular love for elephants, especially old and abused ones. One of her many charities has been an elephant sanctuary in Tennessee.
Liz’s joys for the past few years of her life were Elizabeth and Jarrett, and her faith. Like most grandparents, she could not get enough of her grandchildren. Up until she became ill, Bob and Liz were constantly on the road to see them. They made her life complete.
Liz’s faith was strong. She would say how fortunate she was that her mother always took her to church as a young girl, something she continued her entire life. A devout Christian, she always found comfort and guidance from her belief and love of God. She often said, “I don’t know where I would be without God.” For over 50 years, she attended St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Weston. For the past few years, she attended Horizons Church in Lost Creek, which is where she found a group of Christian women called “The Steel Magnolias,” who greatly strengthened her faith and love of God. Liz’s family are so grateful for their love and support of Liz.
The family would also like to thank the staff of the United Hospital Center’s Encompass Rehabilitation Unit for their wonderful care of Liz, the kind support provided by the Amedisys Hospice Care in Bridgeport, and Hardman Family Funeral Home in Weston for handling all the funeral arrangements.
A celebration of life will be held for Liz at Horizons Church in Lost Creek, WV on Friday, June 23rd with fellowship beginning at 12pm followed by a service at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations made to Liz’s favorite charity, The Elephant Sanctuary, PO Box 393, Hohenwald, TN 38462. Online condolences and life stories in memory of Liz may be expressed at hardmanfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Hardman Family Funeral Home of Weston considers it an honor and a privilege to serve the family of Elizabeth “Liz” Dorreen Rinehart.