With a truly heavy, heavy heart I inform you of the passing of one of the founders of Columbus Base... Elizabeth "Liz" Kenyon on 20 October 2021. Liz, wife of fellow Columbus Base founder Bernie Kenyon, was one of the original 24 "plank owners" who met in Plain City, Ohio in November 2003 to form Columbus Base USSVI. Liz became an Associate Life member of USSVI and was a Columbus Base Associate member from the founding until the end of 2007 when she and Bernie moved to Festus, Missouri. Liz served as base secretary in 2006 and 2007, and was the original planner of our annual base picnic and our tolling ceremony.
Elizabeth Ann Kenyon
September 26, 1938 – October 20, 2021
Elizabeth Ann Kenyon, 83, of Festus died Oct. 20, 2021, at Festus Manor Nursing Home in Festus. Mrs. Kenyon graduated from Ottawa Hills High School in Grand Rapids, Mich., and attended Devonport Institute of Business. She attained proficiency in operating a Friden Flexowriter, considered one of the world's first computers, which eventually brought her to the corporate world with employment at Monsanto Chemical Corp. She later worked for the Carpenters’ Union Hall Office in St. Louis. The final 28 years of her professional life was spent as a legal secretary, and she retired in Columbus Ohio, then in 2007 moved to Festus to be near her children. She was an avid baker, distributing her wares wherever she worked and at various community events. She loved playing golf, tennis, and bridge. She was born Sept. 26, 1938, in Adrian, Mich., she was the daughter of the late Thelma (Chatfield) and William Henry Abbott Jr.
She is survived by her husband: Bernard Kenyon of Festus; a daughter: Kara (Timothy) Rogers of Festus; a son: B.J. (Carrie) Kenyon II of Ballwin; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a brother: William Henry Abbott III.
Private family services were held. Arrangements were under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home in Festus.