Elsie Lightfoot, member of a pioneer Mercer Island family, died at home on Oct. 6. She was 89.
Mrs. Lightfoot was born on March 20, 1903 to Swan and Helena Person on Mercer Island, where they were dairy farmers. The third of eight children, she attended East Seattle School and also Franklin High School. While she was young she was employed at Frederick & Nelson and also at the grocery store in the East Seattle area of Mercer Island.
She was married to Ewart G. (Hap) Lightfoot in 1924, and they owned and operated Hap's Service Station on the Island until he retired in 1946. The Mercer Island Heritage history book mentions Lightfoot and her family, and her recollections of early days of Mercer Island.
She was widowed in 1950 and afterwards attended Business College in Seattle. She was employed in the bookkeeping department of Bethlehem Steel for about 10 years.
Mrs. Lightfoot lived her entire life on Mercer Island, with the exception of two years at a retirement home at Totem Lake. She suffered a serious stroke in May, 1990. After this, her home was adapted to fit her needs, where she lived the rest of her life.
She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Alice and Stan Swyre of Mercer Island; her brother, Ernest Person of Renton; and by five children and their spouses: William and Doris Lightfoot of Renton. Evelyn and John Talmage of Bellingham; Robert and Joy Lightfoot of Port Orchard; Edward and Carol Lightfoot of Kirkland; and Howard and Wilma Lightfoot of Mercer Island. She also leaves nine grandchildren, Anne Spears, Matt Lightfoot, Amy Mangold, Alice Hylton, Mary Myers, Janey Gross, Richard Lightfoot, Carol Robbins and Leo Lightfoot. She is also survived by seven great grandchildren and 10 nieces and nephews.
A memorial service was held on Friday at Acacia Funeral Home in Lake City. The family suggests memorials to the Salvation Army.