Elizabeth Leonard Szymeczek

Beth was born in Winston-Salem, NC and spent her childhood in Myrtle Beach, SC and Washington, NC.  It was in Washington where she met her husband of 34 joy-filled years, Jim Szymeczek.  Beth double majored in Economics and English and graduated Cum Laude from Wake Forest University in 1989.  She received her MA in English from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1991.  Beth and Jim were married in 1990, and they moved to Wilmington, NC in 1995 where she built the exact life that she wanted.  They had three children: Mary Anne Piepmeyer (nee Szymeczek), Matthew Szymeczek, and Suzy Szymeczek.  

Beth leaves a legacy of being a wonderful, selfless, and supportive mom.  In large and small ways, she lived every day as a perfect mother and best friend to her three children.  She will be loved and missed, and forever remembered and honored as her children live by the examples she set of how to build a loving family.

In addition to her husband and children, Beth is survived by: her parents, Don Leonard of Myrtle Beach and Dr. Josh and Carol Tayloe of Washington; 5 sisters and their families; 2 sisters-in-laws and 2 brothers-in-laws and their families; her mother-in-law; and her son-in-law.

Beth was very active at St. Mary Catholic School for many years as well as “team mom” for countless activities with her children. She was an incredibly talented artist and maker/crafter. This was evident through her painting, knitting, needlepointing, and other beautiful creations. Her hobbies were as diverse as they were impressive, and she also enjoyed cooking and watching hockey as well as other sports. Her academic appetite continued throughout her life, and she loved science fiction and fantasy. She was not only a voracious reader, but also inspired many others to discover a love for reading.

The funeral service will be held at 2 PM on Monday, August 26th at The Basilica of Saint Mary in Wilmington, NC.  Family will gather at their home afterwards.

In lieu of flowers, please watch a sunset with your family, take a trip to Disney, or donate to the Rare Cancer Research Foundation (https://rarecancer.org/donate). Her family would like to give a special thank you to Lisa McDowell, PA, as well as the surgeons, oncologists, nurses, first responders, and other medical staff who provided her care and compassion over these last few months.