Beth A. Dunphy

Well shoot, if you’re reading this, I’ve passed from this earth to my Heavenly home. If I know me, I went kicking and screaming – sort of like a four-year-old being dragged out of a birthday party by her parents. But don’t be too sad. I assure you that I am more alive right now in Heaven than I ever was here on Earth.

It was on Thursday, July 29, 2021 that Jesus, my Lord and Savior, came to take me home. Born in January of 1963, I grew up in East Liverpool, Ohio and lived there until 1982.Living in that little river town was the best thing ever – it was small-town living at its very best, and I will forever be a small-town girl! To all my fellow Potters, thank you for being such great friends – I can’t tell you how many times I drew comfort from sharing a history with all of you.

I moved to Akron in 1982 to get my degree in Psychology from Kent State University. I put down roots in the Akron area, and lived there for the rest of my life. I worked for several years at Ron Marhofer Chevrolet in Stow, and then moved on to Brockman, Coats, Gedelian & Company, where I “grew up” professionally. I made some beautiful friendships at both places that I will cherish forever.

Years ago, when I used to camp a lot, I decided I would always leave our campsite better than I found it. I tried to do that with my life in general, and hopefully I left the part of this earth that I touched better than I found it. To that end, I spent a good part of my adult life running Custom Closet Designers, which I founded in 2000. I was one of the lucky people who got to do what I loved for a living, and hopefully I improved some people’s lives along the way, leaving a tiny part of their worlds better than I found it. I had some fabulous clients over the years and had so much fun! I always said I turned my OCD tendencies into a successful business.

To my AM Akron Toastmaster family, thank you for your friendship. You were such a big part of my life for many years. I’ve said a hundred times that Toastmasters was one of the best things I ever did personally and professionally!

To Dr. Trochelman, Dr. Pleat, and all my oncology nurses at Cooper Cancer Center, we gave it one heck of a fight, didn’t we? Thank you for being in the trenches with me, and for your incredible kindness and compassion!

To my Compass North Church family, it was an honor serving God with you. You’re a great group of people and I love you all dearly! I’ll see you all when you get here!

I am so grateful for my Mom and Dad, Edwin Peters and Jean (Poe) Peters, for being such great parents. I’m sorry that I passed on before you. Don’t let your hearts hurt too much, I am doing just fine! I have also gone ahead of my brother, Kevin Peters, as well as many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, and a host of nieces and great-nieces and nephews. What a delight it has been to watch all those little humans grow up!

By far the hardest part of this has been leaving my beautiful daughter, Olivia, behind (for just a little while). You are my greatest achievement and my greatest love. You have filled my life with joy beyond measure. I will see you again, and in the meantime, remember that I love you to infinity and beyond!

For my parting thought, I love you all dearly. I’d really love it if you would follow me to Heaven when it is your time. We will have one heck of a reunion! Jesus Christ provides the way. Acts 4:12 (look it up!).

See you all soon! And, don’t worry Dad … I’ll keep it under 80!

Calling hours will be held on Monday, August 2, 2021 from 2 – 5 p.m. at the Eckard Baldwin Funeral Home and Chapel, 760 E. Market St., Akron, OH 44305. The funeral service will follow at 5 p.m., with Pastor Joe Hunt officiating. For those of you who love flowers like I do, go ahead and send a few. They’ll do some hearts good. But for those of you who would rather do some good elsewhere, please make a donation to the S.A. Comunale Family Cancer Foundation in Akron, OH. They provide much needed assistance to those families dealing with cancer. They’re really good people.

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