Obituary
Beth (Elizabeth) Elmen was born June 4, 1950 and passed away peacefully at the Cornerstone Hospice in The Villages, Florida on April 29, where her husband and three daughters comforted her in her final days. Her death was from the complications of Lewy body dementia. She had been hospitalized for two weeks at The Villages hospital following a broken hip and moved to Cornerstone for compassionate care.
Beth was the daughter of F. Leroy Caldwell and Joy Caldwell, both of whom predeceased her. She was the loving sister of Susan Eissens, Marcus Caldwell, and Donna Hayes. Beth delighted in her six grandchildren of Katie and Jethro VanAardt (Hannah and Ivy), Lindsay and Ryan Armour (Henry, Emmett, Nolan), and Brittany and Glen Bernard (Glen IV). Even with her youngest grandchild, Beth took an avid interest in helping them learn to read. Of all the various jobs she had held as an educator being a reading specialist at the end of her career was her favorite. Seeing the joy in an aspiring reader was a true delight.
Like her husband, Gary, Beth was a graduate of the University of Illinois in Champaign. She continued to root for the Fighting Illini teams as part of the Illini sports club in The Villages. She earned advanced degrees as a special educator and as a reading specialist. As a teacher in Butler School District in Oak Brook, Beth was elected association president and as a delegate to the IEA and NEA conventions. She enjoyed the politics of public education and helped in the election campaign of former governor, Dan Walker.
She was involved in her church in Naperville teaching Sunday school and leading youth groups in service projects such as Go-and-Serve and the homeless mission in Aurora, Illinois Wayside Cross. She also served as a Stephen minister in two separate congregations. She was an exemplary spiritual church member. Most recently she volunteered at her church resale shop finding joy in helping those in need.
Beth developed long-lasting friendships in particular with her college sorority, Phi Mu. Years after graduation a couple dozen members would get together for reunions and travel. She delighted in making photo books that detailed their adventures and fun. These friendships helped to support Beth’s hope and spirit as she was beginning to decline from Lewey body.
Her love of animals was abiding throughout her life. She had particular affection for dogs Brawny and Bailey, her cat Zoe, and her daughter’s horses. Her daughters inherited that deep love of animals.
Beth was a lovely and loving woman who raised up the spirits of those around her. She was kind beyond belief. Always finding the good in people and bringing it out for others to enjoy she made this world a better place.
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