Saturday, July 16, 2022
Beth…
What can I say? Where do I begin?
38 years ago, Carl and I were newlyweds. We had the great luck to move into a home along Troublesome Brook. Beth and Tom Murphy lived on the other bank. The brook would not keep us apart. Instead, it brought us closer together. Carl built a bridge which was much used by all. This was the beginning of a great friendship. Though the highs and the lows we were always there for each other. There was always laughter.
The first thing that you know about Beth is her love of family. She loved her children; she was very involved with their growing up. She was not a helicopter mom. She let them find their way. But she was always there when they needed support and guidance. Beth was the backbone of their becoming wonderful adults. When I see Erin and Matt, I can see a strong loving family.
There was always a time that the whole family would spend together. This includes Beth’s Mother and her sisters. And of course, the Murphy clan was always involved. All were welcome.
Beth and her sisters where avid craft fairs enthusiast, I do not know how many fairs they went to but it was an over 100 or 1000. One day I stop by. I was all dressed up to go to a function. Beth looked at me and said, I have a necklace that would be perfect for your outfit. She was right, I received many compliments.
What comes right after her family, is her remarkable skills in the kitchen. Her meals all had her magic touch. She would always amaze me with her breath of talent. To create her delights, she would go to over a dozen stores. She knew each butcher; each butcher would have their own specialty. She shopped for: spices, farmer markets for vegetables and it goes on. She even had her own firewood provider. She was a remarkable chef, which her family and friends reaped the benefits of her talent and labors. She was famous of her baked beans; I have not found a parallel to exist. My one claim to fame was I made brownies for a New Year’s Eve party. She told me they were the BEST; would I give her my recipe. I told her with a big smile that it was a Ghirardelli mix. Whenever she made it, she would wink at me and said, thanks for telling me about Ghirardelli mix. I could not compare my cooking with Beth’s but we did share a brownie mix together.
Carl and I would throw a Kentucky Derby Day party each year. Beth would make 3 quiches for the party. one an asparagus quiche, was put in our refrigerator just for Carl. When my Dad passed away Beth made a huge basket overflowing with a full meal, I remember the roasted chicken, a bottle of wine and all sorts of treats. It was the only food I ate for a week. Again, Beth would quietly show great kindness.
Books, books and more books
Beth was a bookaholic. She was a certified librarian. Her love for books was like the air she breathed. She read everything. She could remember full paragraphs. What I remember the most was she was one of a few people that had the skill to check on pieces of text, that would range to all sort’s interest. Publisher and businesses would need this research for authenticity and legal rights to use and how they could use it. I am a publisher. One day I was talking to Beth, as she sat in her lounge chair next to the brook, of course reading. I told her I was concerned about a quote someone wrote in my publication. Beth got up and within minutes she told me I was right to be concern and gave me a better substitute. She was remarkable. She saved me from a possible huge problem. Her name is in my book.
The last time I saw Beth was at Matt’s wedding. She looked beautiful but it was clear she was not able to talk. After the wedding I knelt down next to Beth so she could see me better. I talked and talked and talked…as I usually do. I would pause to see if she could answer. After talking about her dress and the wedding I held her hand. I said, Hi Beth I’m Elizabeth and for a brief moment she said Oh Elizabeth…I love you. I said I love you also. Then she lost focus again. That was the last time I saw her. I remember her dancing up a storm at Erin’s wedding and singing every song. She had a great memory. and I was so glad she was able to go to Matt’s wedding. I know if she could, she would have loved to be more involved that day.
It is great sadness that she is leaving us, but it is time. These last years were hard ones for all of us that loved Beth. She is at peace and once she is in heaven, she will have all the books in order and looking forward to reading books not yet published, there will be all types of music being played, not just the heavenly chorus, and the food will be plentiful and delicious.
Rest in peace.
Elizabeth McFadden
