Elizabeth A (Piga) Taylor

Elizabeth Ann Taylor, 61, of Spring Lake, New Jersey, died March 16, 2023, at Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune, NJ, after a long illness. She was born December 1, 1961, in Teaneck, NJ, to Stephen M. and Joan Piga, and resided in Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ during her early adult life.

Beth graduated from Immaculate Heart Academy in Washington Township, NJ, class of 1979. Following graduation, she attended Boston University, graduating cum laude with a Bachelor’s in Spanish Languages and Literature. During her four-year residence in Boston, she was a popular member of the International House and active in organizing intercultural events to promote diversity and cultural sensitivity on campus. Shortly after graduating, she moved to Virginia to complete a Master’s degree in English As a Second Language (ESL) at George Mason University. Graduating with honors, she set out to fulfill her mission to become an effective educator in languages and culture. She moved to Madrid, Spain, where she remained for three years, developing fluency in Spanish at both the spoken and written level. There, she taught ESL part-time to students and business executives, also taking time to travel to Europe as well as to countries such as Turkey and Egypt in order to deepen her understanding of other cultures.

Upon completing her sojourn abroad, Beth settled in Key Biscayne and then Coral Gables, Florida, teaching part-time at Florida International University before accepting a job as a full-time instructor at the prestigious Intensive English Program (IEP) at the University of Miami. Beloved by both faculty and students alike, Beth taught there for over eight years, immersing international students in American culture while preparing them for academic success.

To care for her mother, Beth returned to NJ, where she worked part-time as a bilingual instructor for the NJ Police, bringing her teaching skills to various departments in both Monmouth and Ocean counties. Always motivated to educate and motivate, Beth continued to advance her career by accepting a full-time job as Family Support Advocate for Embrella non-profit organization in Princeton, NJ. Serving as webinar writer, presenter and translator for child welfare programs, she became an enthusiastic pioneer for improving the foster, adoptive and kinship family systems throughout the state.

As a tireless advocate for the helpless and the needy, Beth also devoted time to rescuing and finding homes for abandoned kittens. When she was not devoting time to selflessly helping others, she enjoyed gardening, antiquing, reading Victorian novels and watching old movies on the Turner Classic channel.

Pre-deceased by her parents Stephen and Joan Piga, Beth is survived by three siblings: Maureen Johnson of Scarsdale NY and Quechee, Vermont; Father Stephen Piga, pastor of St. Maximilian Kolbe Church in Tom’s River, NJ; and Susie Choy, of Kaneohe, Hawaii. She also leaves behind two brothers-in-law, Chris Johnson and Barry Choy. Also surviving are her nineteen cousins, two nieces and a nephew, and two grand nephews and a grand niece.

A wake will be held in Beth’s remembrance at Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals, 145 Saint Catherine Boulevard, Toms River, NJ. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, 10:00 am, at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church in Tom’s River followed by the Committal at St. Maxmilian Kolbe's Christ the King  Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Embrella, 101 College Rd E 3rd floor, Princeton, NJ 08540.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.ryanfuneralhome.com.

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