Elizabeth Brewster Stoecklein

Beth passed away on Friday, September 28, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida following a lengthy illness. She was born on June 16, 1952 in Oil City, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of the late attorney Leo M. Brewster and the late Miriam (Weaver) Brewster of Oil City, Pennsylvania. "Bethie" attended Oil City High School where she graduated in 1970. She also attended Brandywine College in Delaware and Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania from 1970 to 1975.

Besides being a star ice skater and skating instructor growing up, Beth had many interesting pursuits after college including working as the on-air news and public affairs director at WBRK radio in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. She was also employed until 1979 as the press aide in Boston for Edward J. King, the former Governor of Massachusetts. Beth was introduced to the toy business in 1980 when she was hired as a sales representative by "Name of the Game" retail store at Faneuil Hall in Boston. When the operation decided to expand in 1982, Beth was promoted and became manager of the new store in Philadelphia. It was there that she met her future husband Richard W. Stoecklein. They decided that there was opportunity in the retail toy business, and together they opened The Toy Factory in Savannah, Georgia in 1983. Then in 1987, a new marketplace was being built in Jacksonville called the Jacksonville Landing. Beth and Richard decided that this would be the perfect place to expand The Toy Factory. Over the years many awards were won, in particular two national awards for "Store Promotion" and "Store Design" from Playthings Magazine in New York City. Beth and Richard would continue with The Toy Factory in the same location until 2015 when they retired after 32 successful years in the toy business.

Beth is survived by her husband Richard, a sister Catherine M. Brewster of Franklin, Pennsylvania and a brother Robert M. Brewster and his wife Debra ( Fifer ) Brewster of West Palm Beach, Florida. Beth is also survived by her brother-in-law Robert L. Stoecklein and his wife Ginger ( Gillaugh ) Stoecklein of Tucson, Arizona along with several cousins, nieces and nephews.

A Christian burial took place at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Dayton Ohio on October 4, 2018. Beth has been embraced by God.....a new star lights the night sky and it will shine forever.