ELIZABETH (BETH) HUETHER VANDERGRIFT. Beth Vandergrift passed away on January 10, 2013 at her



home in Ocoee, Florida. She was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey on February 20, 1943. Formerly of



Edison and Bound Brook, New Jersey, Beth graduated from St. Peter's High School, New Brunswick in



1961. She entered the convent of the Sisters of Charity of Convent Station, New Jersey where she received



an undergraduate degree in Biology. She received her Master of Science degree from Rutgers University.



Beth taught at Paramus Catholic Girls' High School, Paramus, NJ and Hillsborough High School,



Hillsborough, New Jersey. Beth began her employment in the private sector at Silver Burdett Publishing



Company in Morristown, New Jersey. She then joined the publishing company of Harcourt, Brace,



Jovanovich in Orlando Florida, holding the position of Senior Science Editor and Manager of the Science



department before retiring in 2008.



An avid lover of music, Beth was a long time member of the Sweet Adelines Women's Choral Group, both



in New Jersey and Orlando, and was a current member and president of the "Sound of Sunshine" chapter



in Orlando. Beth loved to garden and one of her lifelong goals was to become a "Master Gardner". She



achieved this goal through courses from the University of Florida. Beth finished writing the book The



History of Ocoee and edited it after the death of author Nancy Maguire.



Beth was predeceased by her parents, Louise and Vincent Huether of Freehold, New Jersey. She is



survived by her husband, Scott, of Ocoee Florida, her sister, Mary Lou Croall of Surf City, New Jersey, and



many nieces and nephews. Beth worked with Mayor Scott for more than 25 years as his friend, anchor,



adviser and editor. She was affectionately known to her step children as "Grand Beth" for all the love and



caring she exhibited to her inherited family. She had a keen sense of humor and was quoted as saying that



"She married the mayor for his sense of humor and has regretted it ever since." They were a mixed



marriage. Beth was a Democrat, Scott was a Republican; she was Catholic, he a Southern Baptist. It



worked because their love allowed each to grow with support from the other. Beth always encouraged



and supported her husband "The Mayor." Her presence will be missed always.



A Celebration of Life of Beth will be held Saturday, January 19, 2013, 10:00 a.m. at Starke Lake Baptist Church,



611 West Street Ocoee 34761, FL. Immediately following the service there will be an open house at Beth's and the



Mayors' home all day…come enjoy the friendly atmosphere, eat something and relish the memories of happy times



she and I spent there together and with friends. 2625 Cedar Bluff Lane Ocoee. The family encourages memorial



contributions in her name to the Christian Service Center, 300 Franklin Street, Ocoee, the American Cancer Society



or Vitas Hospice Center, 2201 Lucien Way, Suite 100, Maitland, FL, 32751. BECKER FAMILY FUNERAL HOME,



Clermont, FL 34711. Telephone 352- 394-7121. Guestbook at Becker Funeral Home - Clermont, Florida



In lieu of, or in addition to the above contributions, you are welcome to bring a butterfly attracting plant to the open



house. It will be planted in Beth's Living Memorial Butterfly Garden. Beth and Scott watched, raised and released



butterflies; at one point this summer 400 to 1200 butterflies visited the garden. BJ's Florist has agreed to help people



choose plants that attract butterflies. 407-656-3526.