Lillehei, BJ (Elizabeth Jeanne Larsen) Age 88, passed away peacefully after a brief illness August 25th, her 3 sons by her side. Preceded in death by her husband Dr. Richard C. Lillehei, sister Catherine, parents Arthur and Florence, son James, daughter-in-law Kathleen. Survived by her brother Dr. Robert Larsen, sons Richard C. Lillehei, Jr., Dr. Ted Lillehei, Dr. John Lillehei (Searcy), 8 grandchildren, Ali, Jens, Marina, Haley, Chance, Elena, Nina, Juliana. BJ was born December 14, 1926 at Eitel Hospital, Minneapolis, MN. She attended Washburn High School, was secretary of her junior class and vice president of her senior class, and played sports including women's tackle football. She learned to water ski in her teens and was a member of one Minnesota's first trick water ski troupes. She attended the University of Minnesota where she received a Bachelor of Science in Child Welfare. At the U of M she was a member of Gamma Phi Beta and served on the Panhellenic Council and senior class cabinet. After college she taught second grade in Mound and Minneapolis (John Burroughs). She met her future husband Rich Lillehei at age 13 when their families vacationed together at a Minnesota lake resort. They became childhood sweethearts and soulmates. They married in 1952 and had 4 sons. BJ and Rich loved to entertain, travel, and were cordial ambassadors to a united nations of visiting physicians and friends. They relished their tennis and dance groups. Rich passed away prematurely in 1981 and BJ lost the love of her life. BJ lived an energetic life filled with many interests; art, music, animals, nature, hiking, antiques, architecture, reading, tennis, water & snow skiing. An avid gardener, her gardens were beautiful & bright like her personality. She enjoyed painting and drawing. She supported arts and the community; the Minnesota Orchestra, Guthrie Theater, WAMSO, Minikahda Club, Women's Club of Minneapolis, and Junior League of Minneapolis. A member of the Athenaeum Board she was also a docent at the Minneapolis Institute of the Arts. BJ was a co-owner of the Gold Mine Antiques, Wayzata, where she also enjoyed working. BJ had a large diverse group of friends of all ages. She was affectionately devoted to raising her rambunctious four sons and loved her grandchildren, who endearingly called her "Granny Beej". With her family she enjoyed summers on Crane Island, Lake Minnetonka and skiing in Snowmass Colorado. Playing bridge with family and friends was a lifelong joy, as was cribbage. Beautiful and poised, she was a spitfire, direct, spirited, cheerful, joyous, and gracious. Small as a bird with a presence as big as a bear, BJ remained engaged in the world and curious to the end. BJ is dancing again with Rich. She will be deeply missed. We love you BJ. Memorial service 12 noon Sunday, October 4, 2015 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1917 Logan Ave. S., Mpls, MN. Reception following at The Minikahda Club, 3205 Excelsior Blvd, Mpls. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Animal Humane Society or Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.