Words really canβt describe the shock and sadness I have felt since hearing about Bethβs passing. Things I remember about her are how creative she was and how she loved art. She had the most beautiful, distinctive handwriting. And she loved her children so much. I have a very distinct memory of sitting on a bench in newly refurbished Candy Cane City chatting about education while you girls played. Β I will be praying for you during this time of grief.
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One time Beth drove me to school peering through a little circle chiseled out of the frost on the windshield. Β We were both giggling at the possibility of Β being slightly airborne over the hill trying to make it to class on time. Β I always admired her elegance and creativity, but this moment showed me her fun sense of humor too. Β I wonder how her artistic eyes observed the beauty in this world and now gaze upon the splendors of heaven.Β
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Beth was one of my dearest and oldest friends.Β It is hard for me to think of many things in life that I have done that I didn't, at some point, do with Beth.Β We met in middle school and became fast friends.Β We played soccer together for years.Β We went to church together for even longer.Β We were in numerous organizations together. We prayed, studied, sang, traveled, danced, swam, waterskied, and worked together.Β We took life guard training together.Β We played many games together. I think we ate lunch together close to 80% of the time in high school. I wonder how many thousands of hours we must have spent together over the past 44 years. The things we did the most together though, were talk and laugh.Β Beth had a marvelous sense of humor and we had so much fun together.Β She was such a wonderful friend to talk with, always offering insight and support. I will miss her more than words can say.Β
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I will miss Bethβs lovely smile and great sense of humor. She was a beautiful lady and a true inspiration. She will be missed greatly by all whose lives she touched. May she live on forever in every story you share and in every treasured memory.Β
With much love, Β Lisa Stoeffel
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I am grateful to have had her as an art teacher. She always seemed eager for class to begin, taught us an array of techniques, and established a positive environment for creativity. As someone who is not exactly artistically gifted, I can say that she managed to make each student feel that their work was valued. What a gift for any young person!Β I am so sorry to learn that she has passed.Β
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When we were teens I told Beth that I was self conscious when Joy to the World would be sung at church and my friends and family would look at me. Beth said that she felt the same when people sang Oβ Little Town of Beth-lehem. This gives me a chuckle every Christmas. Beth was a gift to this world in so many ways. Thank you for sharing Β these beautiful photos of your beautiful, smart, funny, loving mom! I will miss her so much.Β
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Iβm so very sorry to hear this news. Β We grew next door to Beth so Iβve known her my whole life. Β I always looked up to her. She was amazing and had the sweetest smile. Sending lots of love and prayers to the family. Christa Viloria (Schmidt)
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I loved Bethβs laugh and contagious smile, and often think about how warm and welcoming she was to me as a shy and lost teen. She always made me feel at home, no matter where we were.
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Beth was beautiful and powerful force!
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Beth was a powerful force!
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2014, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Constitution Avenue Northwest, Washington, D.C., DC, USA
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