ELIZABETH PEDERSEN
Elizabeth Ann “Beth” (Mattice) Pedersen, 58, of Beebe Avenue, and a lifelong resident of Norwich, passed away on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at the Norwich Rehabilitation and Nursing Center after a long and courageous battle against multiple sclerosis.
Born August 26, 1958, in Norwich, Beth was the daughter of Richard E. and Elsie (Powers) Mattice, each of whom preceded Beth in death, as did her brother Rick Mattice. She attended Norwich City Schools, was proud to serve as lead drummer of the Norwich High School Band, and graduated with the Norwich High School Class of 1976. On July 4, 1981, at St. Paul’s Church, in Norwich, she married the love of her life, and #1 fan, Daniel G. Pedersen, who survives. Also surviving are her treasured dogs, Blaze and Mya.
Beth worked for 23 years in the insurance field and, before leaving due to health issues, as an underwriter for the North County Insurance Agency, located in Watertown, NY.
In 1993, Beth was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis that she bravely fought for 23 years. Despite her diagnosis, and only until recently, her interested in and ability to serve her community was unwavering.
She was an extremely active supporter of and contributor to many organizations in the Norwich area. Beth cherished her community. The kindnesses she extended to many, and her general compassion for serving others, will be remembered by the many of those who benefitted from the time and attention Beth gave to them.
From her experience as a high school drummer, and for many years, Beth led the Lancerettes, a youth drum corps. She also served on the Norwich City Planning Board, and was instrumental in seeing that curb cuts and a sufficient number of handicapped parking spaces were made available in Norwich. Beth was recognized with honors due to her community service by the Daughters of the American Revolution, and was also formally recognized for her leadership role for ten-plus years in the local 4-H Club. She and her dogs volunteered working with students at Perry Browne Elementary School in the “Paws for Reading” program to help children with their reading skills. For 15-plus years, Beth and her dogs, along with others, would visit nursing homes in the Norwich, New Berlin, and Binghamton areas for therapy to the patients in those homes. She also served on the board with the Southern Tier Independence Center “STIC” in Binghamton, NY. She very much enjoyed teaching dog obedience for 25 years -- 15 of them with the Adult Education Department at the DCMO BOCES in Norwich. She continued such training until this year when she was unable to do so, but the class continues with a new instructor in her memory.
In addition to her loving husband, Beth is survived by her grandmother-in-law, Helen Pedersen, mother-in-law, Helen (Warren) Leidel, sister-in-law, Dottie Mattice, many niece and nephew in-laws and their children, Crystal (Dan) Slater, Cassandra, Hailey, Michele (Vern) Hoag, Brock (Chelsea, Lincoln), Zach, Skyler, Heather Dawson, Dustin, Troy, Kameron, sister-in-law, Denise (Rob) Matz, Robbie, Jimmy, Bryan, and Deserie, brother-in-law, Darren (Patty) Pedersen, Ryan, Alexa, and several other aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A graveside service for Beth will be held at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Oxford, which will be announced in the spring, and open to family and friends. There will be no calling hours.
The family would like to thank the staff of Chenango Memorial Hospital, and Norwich Rehab, as well as Chenango County Hospice, for the care and compassion they extended to Beth and her family.
Contributions in Beth’s memory may be made to the Chenango County SPCA, 6160 County Road 32, Norwich, NY 13815 (607) 334-9724 (http://chenangospca.org/donate) and the Southern Tier Independence Center “STIC”, 135 East Frederick St., Binghamton, NY 13904 (607) 724-2111 (stic@stic-cil.org).
Funeral services have been entrusted to the Wilson Funeral Home. To leave the family a message of condolence, please visit the funeral home website at: www.wilsonfh.com.