Elizabeth Ann Mink
May 2, 1973 ~ January 18, 2023
Elizabeth Ann (Stewart) Mink, age 49, of Tampa, Florida (formerly of Oakton, Virginia), passed away in her sleep on January 18, 2023. Beth, as she was known to her family and friends, was the youngest of four children and born on May 2, 1973, at St. John’s Mercy Hospital in Creve Coeur, Missouri to Bob and Charlene Stewart. She lived in the St. Louis area until she was two, and then moved with her family to Mt. Vernon, Illinois, where she attended grade school and high school until 1989. At that time, the Stewarts moved to Collinsville, Illinois, where she graduated high school in 1991. That same year, she relocated with her father and mother to the Washington, D.C. area. She graduated from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia with a degree in Nursing and became a Registered Nurse. She married in 1998 and welcomed her son, Jacob, in 2000; daughter, Ella, in 2002; and daughter, Auden, in 2006. She is survived by her children and granddaughter, Maize Gregory, of Oakton, Virginia; parents, Bob and Charlene Stewart of Chantilly, Virginia; brother, Steve Stewart and his wife, and children of Charlottesville, Virginia; brother, Stan Stewart and his wife and children of Sandy Springs, Georgia; sister, Rachel Stewart, and her husband and children of Ellicott City, Maryland, and her relatives in the St. Louis, Denver, and Los Angeles areas. Beth was a dedicated and compassionate nurse in her career and loved and cared for any pets brought into her home. She was a very generous and giving person as noted by her family and friends, and she dearly loved her children and grandchild. The visitation will be held at Money & King Funeral Home in Vienna, Virginia, on Sunday, January 29, 2023, from 2-4 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, Vienna, Virginia on Monday, January 30, 2023 at 11 a.m. Beth loved all animals and in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to the ASPCA.
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Dear Steve and the entire Stewart family, praying for peace in your time of loss and grief.
Butch and Patricia Bracknell
Beth loved her kids dearly. She had many hundreds of photos which she took the time to inscribe a memo and date on the back of each one. There were framed photos, ornaments and mementos , all dedicated to the kids through out the house. Whether she was putting Jacob’s jacket in the dryer to keep him warm before going to school on a cold morning, being the #1 cheerleader for many sports games, playing board games and UNO with the girls, or making a good mid-western home cooked meal, I will always remember Beth for the love she had towards her kids and I don’t know another mom who was prouder of Jacob, Ella and Auden.
A candle was lit for the decedent.
We are very sorry for your loss and pray for peace and comfort for all who loved her. May she rest in eternal peace.
Charlene and family, so terribly sad to hear this news. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this very sad time.
Beth you always kept things interesting and had such a huge heart. Rest In Peace
Beth’s Friends and Family
We are so sorry to hear of Beth’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. I remember when our kids were playing High School football together, she was so kind to have the kids over all the time and feed them-she was always cooking for them and she told me she really enjoyed doing that. She was such an incredible person and we want to wish you peace and comfort.
Mark, Jane, Michael and Jill Krajewski
To Beths Friends and FamilyThoughts and prayers are with you at this time. The Krajewski Family
I first met Beth when I started teaching at St. Mark’s in 2008 as Ella was my student. She must have sensed my nervousness as she went out of her way to make me feel welcome with kind remarks, thoughtful notes and “anonymous” surprises left on my desk. She was incredibly “clued in” not only to the needs of her own kids, but also to those of everyone in her orbit. I can distinctly remember her popping in to my class with an unexpected surprise for the students or a visit from an adorable pet she had just adopted. Beth breathed excitement and life into everything she did. She was a kind and loving soul who will be sorely missed.
I met Beth around 1995 working with her at Outback Steakhouse. When she heard that I was studying finance at Mason she immediately offered me a meeting with her then boyfriend Brandon at Merrill Lynch. Brandon and I are close friends to this day and have many wonderful memories hanging with Beth. She was such a giving person. I had to stop complimenting items in her home because they would wind up in my car to take home. She was a caring and generous person.
Beth was the best friend and neighbor a girl could have! She was the kind of person who was always there. I’ll never forget all the beautiful memories of her and especially the holidays! Her house was decked out with the most beautiful decorations! Her Christmas tree was meticulously decorated with intricate ornaments she had bought for her beautiful children, the true loves of her life. Beth will remain alive in our memories! Let us live each day to the fullest and let us love fiercely the way Beth loved. Rest in Peace my bff! I will always love you and be by your side as you always stood by me. Love you forever!!!! Debbie
Bob, Charlene, and family, so sorry to learn of the Beth’s passing. I did not know her, but I want you to know I lift all of you in my prayers now and in the coming days.
I have so many fond memories of spending time with Beth and the kids when they were young – whether it was preschool with Jacob and Noah, spending time at the house with Jacob, Noah, Ella, and Kelley, or having sanity time together at Boot Camp, where we met. She was so very gracious to me when she hosted my baby shower for Stephanie, and I could give you a million other instances where she showed such love and devotion to her family and friends. I always enjoyed her FB posts regarding her children and was so happy seeing them grow and thrive. I will miss her and send you all grace and light-
I have so many fond memories of spending time with Beth and the kids when they were young – whether it was preschool with Jacob and Noah, spending time at the house with Jacob, Noah, Ella, and Kelley, or having sanity time together at Boot Camp, where we met. She was so very gracious to me when she hosted my baby shower for Stephanie, and I could give you a million other instances when she showed such love and devotion to her family and friends. I always enjoyed her FB posts regarding her children and was so happy seeing them grow and thrive. I will miss her and send you all grace and light-
During the time she lived in Northern Virginia, Beth volunteered at a homeless shelter in Fairfax City, The Lamb Center. One of the services this shelter provides is washing the clothes of the homeless. The laundry was Beth’s place, and it provided her with the opportunity to converse and get to know many of the men and women at the shelter. She took full advantage of that opportunity and provided comfort and medical knowledge. Her name has been placed on a memorial plaque at The Lamb Center.
Beth was the youngest of our four children and the mother of three of our beloved grandchildren. She was one of the most generous of people I have ever known, and she manifested this endearing quality from the time she was a young child to the time of her death. Her passing leaves a big hole in our heart and the many that loved her. Her passing will not destroy our solidarity and communion with her, and I trust that she is now in the company of all the saints, including members of our family whose earthly journey has ended. Eternal rest grant unto her, Heavenly Father, and let your perpetual light shine upon her.
I will miss Beth’s hearty laugh and bright blue eyes. She had a heart that was full of love and joy and she wanted the best for those around her. She made the little things in life fun. She was a great friend during challenging times and during the best of times. She was loving, kind and generous. She always brought a sense of fun and adventure and sunshine with her. She was so proud of her kids. Her children were her greatest love and biggest joy. She will be greatly missed.
~Sharon Manzano
Photos of Beth and her family.
Eulogy by Steve Stewart
For those whom I have not met, I am Steve Stewart, the oldest sibling and big brother, to Beth. I am speaking these words of remembrance for our collective family in honor of the person she was in our lives. On behalf of the Stewart and Mink family, thank you for all of your prayers, support, and most importantly your presence as we grieve the death of our beloved Beth.
Elizabeth Ann Stewart Mink was our daughter, sister, mother, and beloved who now rests with God. This is a difficult premise to accept as the permanence of it settles into our minds and hearts. That we will no longer have that kackling laugh in the background, or that yell across the room of “Hey, what are you doing”, or that long blond hair and blue eyes looking at us with affection or disapproval.
Beth was a force of nature that filled whatever room she was in and there was no ignoring Beth. When I think of Beth, I think of that iconic 1980’s movie line from Dirty Dancing that “No one puts Baby in the corner.” Here, “No one puts Beth in the corner”. Beth was always in the front of things. Maybe this was a forcing function from being the baby in our family and competing in a family of strong personalities, or the fact she was the strongest one of us all in many ways. Amongst our experiences with Beth, we know she lived her life, her Catholic life, in one of service to others. Professionally, she was a registered nurse dedicated to make her patients well by mending their bodies and relieving their worries. To be a nurse takes sympathy, empathy, and understanding. In Beth’s finest moments this was her authentic self—taking care of others. As a lawyer and judge I review a record of proceedings and examine the facts of a case to come to a legal conclusion in the law. If nearly 50 years of photos establishes a record of one’s life, then in reviewing Beth’s photos this past week, I can confidently conclude that Beth loved us and we loved her and she lived her life authentically and without reservation. There are so many photos of her celebrating with us our many blessings from birthdays, graduations, weddings, and births. Beth’s huge animated smile, warm blue eyes, and natural beauty greets us in those photos. The most touching to me are ones with her children and granddaughter which communicate that mother’s love and pride she had for them. She was the consummate host and she made things fun—from the birthday parties, engagement parties, catfish dinners for Dad, Cardinal baseball games with friends, rooting for her children at their activities and sporting events, to entertaining me and my fellow Marine Officers with a lobster dinner while we were on liberty. Beth made us feel alive, she celebrated us in many ways. This is the memory that so many have shared with me, and this is the memory I want us to remember. That although Beth has left us, her memory keeps her alive to us and she reminds us to be alive and to celebrate life like she did in so many of the photos and memories we have of her. Beth leaves a meaningful legacy for us all, and one we will see everyday in her children Jacob, Ella, and Auden, and Granddaughter, Maize. Kids—Your Mom loved you so much and we love you so much too.
At this time, we entrust Beth to God. Our dear friend Fr. Tom Michel shared this passage from the Gospel of John to us, and I share it with you: “Jesus said, “Don’t be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house… I am going there to prepare a place for you. After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back. Then I will take you with me, so that you can be where I am.
John 14: 1-3:
We love you Beth. We miss you, and you will not be forgotten.
FUNERAL HOMILY
Wisdom 3: 1-6, 9 Psalm 23 Romans 8: 31-35, 37-39 John 14:1-6
by Deacon Stan Stewart
In our Gospel reading today, we heard these words of John, “Do not let your hearts be troubled”
Weeks like this are a challenge to our Faith—- how could our hearts not be troubled?
Troubled, because we mourn the loss of: a daughter, a sister, a mother, a grandmother, a godmother, an aunt, a niece, a cousin, an in-law, and a friend – Beth Stewart Mink
To her children: Jacob, Ella, Auden—to her granddaughter Maize—to mom and dad, and to Steve and Rachel—and to all friends and loved one that are here in body, or in spirit, — I wish to offer my sincerest and deepest love, my strongest support and profound prayers on the shared grief and numbness off this loss to our family and to one another.
Times of despair and distraught are not immune to age, social status, wealth, or gender. Setbacks like this and grief opens the path before us to refocus on what matters most in life. Our Faith.
Suffering and death challenges the Faith of all us, does it not? We often stand in front of two doorways in life….one doorway that reads: ‘Faith’ —-the other doorway that reads, ‘Despair.’ Which doorway is easier to keep open?
Our Gospels stress the importance of unwavering Faith which implores us to have courage to live fully without knowing all the answers. Christ himself surrendered himself fully to God to see it through to his death and resurrection—his cry on the cross of “into your hands I commend my spirit” was a cry of triumph in fulfilling God’s will…which came after his last cry of broken humanity up on the cross, when he said, “my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Faith makes all the difference in the world in how we view our own life and it can make it bearable for us to carry the weight of not only our own cross but of those of our brothers and sisters in Christ as well. Indeed, if it were not for Faith, I would have very little to say to you that would be of any consolation or meaning.
We must carry on with these questions that keep bothering us on why bad things happen to us/to our children/to our loved ones. Jesus himself reminds us that God’s grace is with us…always…especially when we don’t always realize it.
Our 2nd reading from Paul tell us, “….we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us…..that neither death, nor life….nor present or future things will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Christ is inviting us to accept His grace, and to surrender ourselves to that future, trusting all will be well and that the last chapter of our story will not be death—but resurrection for Beth and for ourselves.
Our sadness today is also tempered by Christian hope. — how coming home to visit always gave me a comfort and peace—to a place of rest
For Beth, and for us, death is never the last word. It is the culmination of a journey of faith and love and the beginning of a new life in union with God.
In the doubt, pain, and anger of grief—-we rest on the promises of our God— and the love and comfort of family and friends.
Jesus said in today’s Gospel that he has prepared a dwelling place—(a room)— for us in God’s house. He will take us to that room himself——freeform: I just love the imagery of the room prepared for us—as it strongly reminds me of my own experience of coming home to visit my own mom and dad…..
and I feel great comfort in firmly believing —for Beth and all of our dearly departed—that they are experiencing something—on a far greater magnitude—to be at peace and rest in our Father’s home.
Finally, through our baptismal faith, we Christians have always understood our obligation to pray for the dead. We believe that our baptism has created a bond among us as One Body in Christ—and it is a bond which death itself cannot break.
Our prayers for the dead matter because we are confident that just as our payers assisted the deceased in life—-so too will they assist them in death. Such prayers are comforting to those of us who remain, for it unites us further with those that have died—-in the firm and certain hope that one day we will be united with our loved ones again.
We pray that Jesus will look on Beth with the same love and affection that he showed so many—and that he is welcoming Beth home to that room prepared for her.
If we believe we are ‘People of Faith in God’…then let us remember the stories we read and hear in scripture; scripture that should be taken to heart that gives us a stronger faith to accomplish what looks unbearable and impossible.
By following Christ’s example, we should look at every crisis, every tragedy, as an opportunity to have a deeper faith in God because God has never abandoned his people; he is not uncaring about suffering—from Exodus to Exile—to the death and resurrection of Christ—to the loss of our beloved Beth.
Let us always remember to turn towards God in the midst of these chaotic times to ask His mercy, His strength, His grace, His love—to endure and persevere with whatever challenges that come our way.
Have Hope. Pray. Keep open the doorway that reads, ‘Faith.’
In closing, I wish to share with you something that my father sent to me many years ago when I was grieving on the loss of a close friend. It is something I still continually read and reference when my heart is heavy. It is from the theologian, Karl Rahner S.J, on his thoughts on death and mourning:
Karl Rahner wrote:
“The great mistake of many people – among them, even pious persons – is to imagine that those whom death has taken, leave us.
They do not leave us. They remain!
Where are they? In darkness? Oh, no! It is we who are in darkness.
We do not see them, but they see us.
Their eyes, radiant with glory, are fixed upon our eyes full of tears…. Though invisible to us, our dead are not absent.
“I have often reflected upon the surest comfort for those who mourn.
It is this…….a firm faith in the real and continual presence of our loved ones; it is the clear and penetrating conviction that death has not destroyed them, nor carried them away.
They are not even absent, but living near to us, transfigured: having lost, in their glorious change, no delicacy of their soul, no tenderness of their hearts, nor especial preference in their affection.
On the contrary, they have, in depth and fervor of devotion, grown larger a hundredfold.
Death is, for the good, a translation into light, into power, into love.
Those who on earth were only ordinary….become perfect…”
Rest in Peace Beth. You are loved and you will never be forgotten.