Elizabeth Fairbank Harding, 89, died March 21 with her family around her at Messenger House on Bainbridge Island.

She was born May 3, 1915 in Minneapolis, Minn., the first of five children of Samuel B. and Helen Fairbank.

The family moved to Hobston, Mont., in 1918, where Elizabeth attended a one-room grade school and high school. She studied the piano and was the church organist. In 1932, the family moved to Seattle, where Elizabeth attended Roosevelt High School for her senior year.

She enrolled in Whitman College in the fall of 1934 and graduated in 1937 with a major in music. That year she met her husband-to-be John W. “Jack” Harding at a college dance, and they were soon engaged.

She taught high school in Kahlotus, Wash., the next two years, and then in Peshastin, Wash. She taught math, world history, Latin, typing, drama and music. She directed several choirs, three plays and the school annual. In April of 1941, she married Jack, who was working at the University of Washington and was on his way to serve in the Navy.

Their son, John was born in Wilmington, N.C., in 1943, where Jack was stationed. The family moved back to Seattle at the end of World War II, where Elizabeth gave birth to their daughter Janet.

She was active in the League of Women Voters, including service on the Seattle Board and the Washington State Board as treasurer. She was a member of the UW Faculty Auxiliary, and later, the UW Retirement Association.

She enjoyed playing the piano, singing, sewing and cooking, and the company of her and Jack’s long-term bridge club.

She and her husband moved to Bainbridge Island in 1970, added to the family cabin and settled into semi-retirement. Elizabeth cared for her mother who died at Bayview Manor in 1979.

She worked part-time managing the Mountaineers, Inc. book sales before retiring fully in 1980.

Elizabeth and Jack attended the Bainbridge Island Senior Community Center exercise and dance classes. They joined the Agate Pass Sail and Power Squadron, and the Poulsbo Yacht Club, took courses offered by the Squadron and began more than 10 years of boating in Washington and British Columbia waters.

In 1986, they cruised to Glacier Bay, Alaska, with Elizabeth’s sister Janet and her sister and other relatives.

She kept up with her friends and her family even when her health was failing. She made her large extended family welcome for family reunions and summer visits at her parents’ cabin and then her home on Bainbridge for 60 years and five generations where she organized meals and helped keep everyone closely connected.

During her final illness, she enjoyed her associations and friendship with the Group Health Cooperative Hospice Team.

She is survived by her husband Jack; son and daughter-in-law John and Phyllis Harding of Bainbridge Island; daughter and son-in-law Janet Harding and Gary Rambo and grandsons Louis and Charles Rambo of Seattle; step-grandson Joe Rambo and his daughter Courtney of Bellingham; her brother and his wife Henry and Martha Fairbank of Durham, N.C.; sisters Ruth Roberts of San Bernardino, Calif. and Janet Thompson of Sunnyvale, Calif.; sister-in-law Jeanette Harding of Phoenix, Ariz.; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her brother and his wife William and Jane Fairbank of Palo Alto, Calif., brothers-in-law Edward Harding of Phoenix, Robert R. Roberts of San Bernardino and Reginald Thompson of Sunnyvale.

A memorial service is planned in early June to accommodate distant relatives.

Remembrances may be made to the Whitman College Scholarship Fund, Walla Walla or a favorite charity.