Beth M. Rockwell

Beth M. Rockwell, 83, of Erie, passed away Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at Elmwood Gardens, Erie. She was born November 2, 1935 in Union City, daughter of Charles Magee and Doris Barber Magee. She was married to Roger G. Rockwell of Union City from 1953 to 1979 and together they had and raised five children. She graduated from Union City High School, and earned advanced degrees from Saint Vincent Hospital Nursing Program (LPN) and Erie Business School (Associates - accounting). Beth's favorite nursing was in caring for "premies" at the Hamot Hospital neonatal unit. She left nursing following a near-fatal automobile accident in 1982, and traveled to Americus, Georgia where she worked as a volunteer at Koinonia Partners. During her years there, she was proud to become acquainted with President Jimmy and First Lady Rosalynn Carter. She returned to Erie and worked as a bookkeeper for multiple Erie businesses, ending her career at Ridg-U-Rack. After retirement, continued an active life of volunteerism. This included serving with Great Lakes Hospice, delivering for Meals on Wheels, and reading books to the blind. Religion and social justice causes became increasingly important through her life. Accordingly, she participated actively with the Erie County Green Party, which she served as treasurer. Raised Baptist, she ultimately embraced the Quaker faith and became a member of the Erie Friends Worship Group, which played a central role in her later life. Some of Beth's proudest moments were spent behind bars. Unafraid to stand up for her beliefs regarding civil justice and nonviolence, she was arrested twice for protests involving civil disobedience, in Athens, Georgia, and Erie, Pennsylvania. Beth was a gifted pianist and lifelong musician; doll-house builder, cross-stitcher, ceramist, and faithful mother and grandmother. She lived with devotion and dedication to purpose, and stood steadfastly, even when from behind her walker. In this, with warmth and gentleness, she taught all who knew her through a well-lived life of courage and generosity. She will be missed. She is survived by three daughters, Colleen Miller Donor (husband Jeff) of Wattsburg, Alyson McCray (Brian) of Zephyhills, FL, and Lynn Christoph (Richard) of Erie; two sons, Russell Rockwell (wife Sandi) of State College and Bruce Rockwell (partner Karen Miller) of Lakewood, NY; 13 grandchildren; six great grandchildren; a sister, Joan Butler of Union City; two brothers, Noel Magee (wife Christine) of Rochester, NY and Alan Magee (Marie) of Columbus, OH; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Beth was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Lois Rockwell; and two brothers-in-law, Raymond Rockwell and Richard Butler. A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 16th at Wattsburg United Methodist Church, 9904 Jamestown Road, Wattsburg at 3:00pm. Private burial will take place in Wattsburg Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Beth's memory to Habitat for Humanity, 4922 Pittsburgh Ave., Erie, PA 16509 (www.habitaterie.org) and Elmwood Gardens, 2628 Elmwood Ave., Erie, PA 16508 (www.srcare.org/give-now). Please take a moment to share a memory or condolence with the family on Beth's Book of Memories online at www.warrenglennfh.com Beth's arrangements are in the care of Warren-Glenn Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 62 S. Main Street, Union City.