Elizabeth Euphemia Reid Easton Harnish

Elizabeth Euphemia Reid Easton Harnish May 7, 1932 – February 27, 2025

Elizabeth Euphemia Reid Easton Harnish, lovingly known as "Bessie" during her childhood, was born on May 7, 1932, in Glasgow, Scotland, to Catherine Hughes and Alexander Easton and was the younger sister of Catherine. Growing up during the tumultuous years of World War II, Bessie was part of an entertainment group that performed for the troops, and she often recounted her wartime experiences with her family.

A significant moment in her life was when she was saved from boarding a ship bound for Canada. Wearing her name tag and standing in line to board a ship of evacuating children bound for Canada, Bessie’s mother had an uncomfortable feeling and pulled her out of line, instructing her to tell her father she was late and missed the boat. That ship was later torpedoed by a German submarine, resulting in the loss of 77 of the 90 children on board.

 While the war deeply influenced her life, Elizabeth's most transformative decision was choosing to be baptized as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shortly before her 18th birthday. She spent many months seeking permission from her father to be baptized and follow the example set by her older sister and brother-in-law, who had already become members of the church. Elizabeth later served a church mission in Southern England and Wales, where she famously preached from a wooden soapbox at Speaker's Corner in Trafalgar Square. Her dedication to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ continued throughout her life.

Elizabeth loved to sing and was proud of her time performing with the Singing Mothers at Royal Albert Hall in London for the prophet, David O. McKay. As well as helping to build up the membership of the church in Durham County, England, she also played a role in constructing the first church-owned meetinghouse in Great Britain. That building in Newton Aycliffe is now a church historic site.

On July 17, 1964, Elizabeth arrived in New York City aboard the SS United States and settled in Salt Lake City. She worked as a bank teller at Zions First National Bank, where customers often asked if learning the English language was difficult for her after moving to the United States, from England. While living in Salt Lake City, Beth met John Harnish, they were married on May 1, 1965. The next year they moved to Seattle, and later lived in Denver for a short time before settling in Corona in 1984. Beth moved to Newbury Park to live with her daughter’s family in 2021. 

Elizabeth was a devoted mother to four daughters, grandmother to 13 grandchildren, and to 7 great-grandchildren. Many of her descendants followed her example and served church missions, something that filled her with pride.

She loved music, sewing, baking, and always had a treat ready for visitors. Emergency chocolate was always in good supply. Elizabeth enjoyed visiting her grandchildren and traveling with her husband to destinations like Europe, Scotland, China, South Africa, Australia, the South Pacific, the Caribbean, and Mexico.

She served in the church in nearly every capacity, with a particular love for music. She often sang at church and funerals and brought countless treats and meals to friends, neighbors, and church members.

Elizabeth was passionate and stood up for her beliefs. She was ahead of her time in many ways and was an independent woman. She supported her husband by working at their restaurant, baking pies and waitressing. She was a friend and mentor to both young and old, and children always sought her out for her purse full of chocolate. Though we will miss her dearly, her legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched.

-In lieu of flowers, if you wish, donations are being accepted to support a Scottish Missionary in honor of our mother, our Scottish Missionary.

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