In Memory

Elizabeth (Beth) McDowell (Drzewiecki)

Elizabeth Ann Drzewiecki (Beth) passed away on July 7 in her home in Glen Allen, Virginia at the age of 77, after a long battle with dementia.  She was preceded in death by her parents Ronald M. McDowell and Alice George McDowell.  She is survived by her husband of 53 years Paul Drzewiecki of Glen Allen, her daughter Dena McElwain (Mark) and grandsons Sean and Matt of Glen Allen, and her sister Jean McDowell Horton of Eugene Oregon and many nieces, nephews and beloved friends.

Beth was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on August 9, 1943 and grew up in Warsaw, Indiana growing up spending time at Center Lake and Lake Tippecanoe with family and friends.  She graduated from Warsaw High School in 1961, and attended the University of Denver.  She later attended and graduated from Indiana University, majoring in business, and graduated from Western Michigan University, where she earned her masters in business.

Beth then lived in Texas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Arizona and Washington, teaching high school math and later, college business math and accounting.  She also worked as a CPA.  Beth retired in 2006 from teaching from Olympic College in Bremerton, Washington.

Beth was a proud member of Delta Gamma Sorority and the Mayflower Society.  She also enjoyed volunteering as a site coordinator for VITA, a volunteer, free tax assistance service in Bremerton, Washington.

Beth was a devoted wife and mother and enjoyed reading, visiting national parks, especially Yellowstone, and taking her daughter to local history and art museums.  She loved a good joke, a good song, and always stopped to pet dogs and cats.

The family would like to thank the many friends and family who have reached out with their condolences, offers of assistance, stories and memories.  There will be a private family ceremony.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in memory of Beth to Delta Gamma Foundation (www.delta gamma.org/foundation) or the Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation (www.alzinfo.org)