Elizabeth ‘Beth’ Lambert, 53, of Centre Hall, passed away March 27th at Mt. Nittany Medical Center. She was born June 1, 1967 in Sawyer, MI. The daughter of Barbara G. (Smith) Stoddard of Charleston, SC and the late Dennis L. Granke of Sawyer, MI., Beth grew up along the shores of Lake Michigan with her brother, Brandon, until she moved to Pennsylvania after graduating high school. Whenever possible, Beth would return to Michigan to visit with her late grandparents, Ernie and Pat Granke of Sawyer, MI, and to spend time at Lake Michigan. She loved Lake Michigan and always said it was her happy place.
Shortly after arriving in Pennsylvania, Beth met her future husband, Matthew J. Lambert, while they both worked at Toftrees Country Club in State College, PA. They were married on July 1st 1995 and then shared their lives with their ‘fur babies’; Mardi & Maggie, Barley & Milo, Theo & Annie, and last but certainly not least Otis.
Beth was a special education teacher at the Mifflin County School District for 17 years. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from The Pennsylvania State University and her Master’s degree from Wilkes College. She was one of those rare teachers that God gifts with the wisdom, patience, humor, and a fierce determination to improve the education and quality of life for each of her students. Beth dedicated her career to being the very best teacher and co-worker possible.
In addition to her career, Beth had many varied interests; volunteering her time with the PA Special Olympics, reading, needle work, watching football (both college and professional), playing cards, traveling with her mom, canoeing down Pine Creek on a yearly springtime trip, and laughing. Beth loved to laugh. Her laugh could light up a room and ease burdens. She also loved being with her friends. Once she called you her friend, you were her friend for life. She made sure to kept in touch with old friends and take care of fragile ones. Recently she lost two very dear friends; Pans Moloni and Cindy Engle. Losing her ‘Sisters of the Heart’ was beyond difficult for Beth. Now that they are reunited, she is certainly catching up with them and laughing her wonderful laugh.
Along with her husband Matt, Beth is survived by her mother Barbara Stoddard (Ron) of Charleston South Carolina and brother Brandon Granke (Kristy) of Dothan Alabama, her brother-in-law’s Donald (Ruth) and Mark (Lorrie) Lambert and sister-in-law Lee Ann (Bill) Adams along with her nieces Jennifer Lienhard, Rachel Vogel, Allison Lambert, Caitlyn and Carrie Adams, and nephews Jacob and Luke Lambert.
Friends and family will be received from 11:30am – 12:30pm on Saturday, April 3, 2021 at the Daughenbaugh Funeral Home, Inc in Centre Hall. A memorial service will immediately follow at 12:30pm with Deacon Tom officiating. Masks will be required during all services and social distancing is encouraged.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Beth’s name may be made to Special Olympics Centre County, PO Box 10465, State College, PA 16805 or St Jude Children’s Research Center, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Daughenbaugh Funeral Home, Inc 228 S. Pennsylvania Ave., PO Box 579, Centre Hall, PA 16828. An online guest book can be signed or condolences to the family available at www.daughenbaughfuneralhome.com.