Dr. Mary-Elizabeth Beach died peacefully on June 16, 2017. The daughter of Dr. Philip A. Beach and Edna L. (Hodges) Beach, Mitzi was born on May 28, 1949 in New York City. She graduated from Lyndon Institute and earned a B.S. at Lyndon State College and M.Ed. And Ed.D. at the University of Vermont.  Dr. Beach began her life-long career in education as a teacher and guidance director in the Northeast Kingdom and Rutland, Vermont. She was the Educational Coordinator at Sojourn, Inc. in Northampton, the Director of the Holyoke Street School, and the Principal of Tri-County High School in Northampton.   She worked for the State Departments of Education in Massachusetts, Vermont, Washington, and Washington, DC, as well as for the U.S. Department of Education.  She worked in the Springfield Public Schools as the Special Assistant to Superintendent Joseph P. Burke, and she retired as the Superintendent of the Ware Public Schools.  She also served on the state Board of Higher Education.  Mitzi leaves her daughter Argenia Smith Beach.  A Celebration of Mitzi’s Life will take place on August 25, 2017 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. at the Log Cabin, 500 Easthampton Rd, Holyoke, MA 01040.  Mitzi lived life on her own terms. She worked hard, and she played hard. She enjoyed planning parties and traveling. She leaves a legacy of laughter and love – love for her family, her friends, her colleagues, her work, and most of all for children.  She made life interesting and better, and she will be missed. May your memories settle in a special place in your heart; and, wherever you are, may you take a moment to celebrate her life.