Elizabeth Lee Ortega Browne, “Liz,” was born on May 26, 1958, at Providence Hospital in Seattle to Arthur and Mary (Wiberg) Ortega.

After a hard-fought five-month battle with leukemia, she died on Jan. 5, 2010, at Swedish Hospital in Seattle, with family and friends by her side.

The Ortega family moved to Vashon in 1963 from White Center. Browne attended school on the Island and was in the graduating class of 1976 from Vashon High School. She married Christian Browne in 1979, which later ended in divorce. Until her death, Browne continued to live on Vashon to raise her daughter Molly.

Browne loved celebrating and decorating for every holiday and was happiest surrounded by people; she was a fantastic cook and an avid reader, family members said.

She was a lifelong lover of Yahtzee and traveled and saw as many concerts as time allowed. What brought her the most joy was being a grandmother, her family said.

She will be missed and best remembered for her kindness, generosity, wit and sense of humor, according to her family.

Browne is survived by her daughter Molly Browne, granddaughter Talia Spurlock, siblings Tony Ortega, Barney Ortega, Donna Knowles, Anne Ortega, Monica Harter, Joan Ortega and David Ortega, numerous nieces and nephews, extended family and many friends.

A celebration of life service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, at the Vashon Sportsmen’s Club. The family requests that attendees bring a favorite finger food or dessert to share.

Remembrances may be made to the Browne Family, P.O. Box 302, Vashon, Wash., 98070.

Visit the online guest book at www.islandfuneral.com.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, at the Sportsmen’s Club.

Contact Island Funeral Service for more information.Visit the online guest book at islandfuneral.com.