Beth was born Nov. 9, 1963, to Joseph A. Green and Betty Jean Smith Green in Madison, Ohio, where she lived for 22 years. The Green home was pleasantly situated in a woodsy area near the Grand River, accounting for their love of nature, camping and exploring.
At a young age, Beth showed an interest in and talent for play acting, music and dancing. She studied ballet, tap, jazz, modern dance and acrobatics for eleven years. She sang in school and church choirs, played the flute, piano and accordion. In the Madison High School band, she was the first girl to be selected as drum majorette. Beth was also active in the drama department. She graduated in 1982. During high school and college summers, she acted, directed and choreographed productions at Rabbit Run Theater in Madison and Straw Hat Theater in Ashtabula.
Shenandoah University in Winchester, Va. was Beth's choice for training in musical theater. She graduated in 1986, cum laude. Her first jobs were in dinner theater. For the next eight years she performed in national tours, traveling from east to west coasts. Along the way, she earned her Actors Equity card and did summer theater in several states. The highlight of her career was performing on Broadway in "Hello, Dolly!" with Carol Channing. Beth enjoyed character parts and was good at imitating accents and voices.
In 1993, Beth married Brian L. Schwartz in a garden wedding at the Green home. The couple lived in Hoboken, N.J. and White Plains, N.Y. before settling in New Canaan, Conn. Two sons were born to Beth and Brian, Jeremy, now age 13 and Dylan, now age 10. The Schwartz family enjoys skiing and the natural beauty of Vermont where they have a vacation home.
Beth had continued to use her musical theater skills by teaching at local studios and pre-schools and performing in local theater productions. She also directed a women's singing group and sang with a second ensemble. Occasionally she sang at Temple Sinai where Brian and the boys are members. As the mother of school age children, Beth volunteered with school projects and fund raisers. Meals on Wheels appreciated her services as volunteer coordinator .
Beth had a presence that was quickly recognized by those who met her. She has been described as vibrant, caring, loving, classy, sophisticated, very funny and passionate about her family and her work. As the years passed, she stayed in contact with friends from high school and college, and cast members from many of the musicals she did. Family was always a priority for Beth.
A memorial service for Beth was held on Sunday, June 26th, at Temple Sinai in Stamford, Conn., officiated by Rabbi Marc Disick. The women’s groups Beth worked with sang. More than 500 people attended the service. In the evening, family and friends gathered at the Schwartz home for a short Shiva service, a Jewish tradition. The New England Organ Bank handled organ donations. Three people have a new lease on life, thanks to Beth.
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