Edith Elizabeth Walsh

Edith "Liz" Walsh, 74, passed away at home in Toms River, New Jersey, on March 9, 2016, as her family held her hands and read to her. A special education teacher and artist, Liz lived her life to serve her students and make her corner of the world a more beautiful place. As a teacher, she was attuned and talented; no student ever went lacking. As an artist, no unpainted surface was ever safe. She even opened a local shop, Sweet Stuffings, to sell her creations.When Liz was not teaching or painting, she read troves of books. She had no favorite authors. "She just read absolutely everything and anything," said her daughter, Lori Walsh. Liz grew up in Edgewater Park, New Jersey, amid farms and fruit sellers and graduated from Burlington High School as salutatorian. She attended Glassboro State College, where she received her degree in education, later specializing in special education. She taught for 28 years in the Toms River school district, regaling her family with a steady supply of stories about the cute quotes and accomplishments of her students. Teaching was truly bred into her bones. Liz was predeceased by her parents, Benjamin and Edith Johnson, as well as her brother Arthur and his wife, Louise. She is survived by her beloved husband of 52 years, Raymond Walsh. She is also survived by her two daughters, Lori Walsh and Cyndy Devesly and their husbands, Marek Fuchs and Pierre Devesly, in addition to her bothers and sisters-in-law: Robert and Lynda Johnson, Thomas and Barbara Johnson, Andrew Johnson and Richard and Sandra Johnson. Eighteen years ago, Liz started accumulating a new batch of students and art partners—her grand children. When one preferred sports to watercolors, Liz quickly honed her basketball skills. But Lyra, Emmett, Oliver, Camille and Margot forever show a kindness to younger children that, in the end, seems bred into their bones. There will be a memorial gathering to celebrate Liz's life on Thursday at 2 p.m., with a formal service at 3 p.m. at the Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home at 703 Main Street in Toms River, New Jersey. In lieu of flowers, the family would be incredibly thankful for a donation in her name to any charity benefitting children.