Elizabeth G. Thoenen

Elizabeth Gardner Thoenen, known to friends and family as Beth, died early Sunday morning, 12 October, at the age of 64. A resident of Malden, Massachusetts, Beth was born on July 4, 1961, in New York City to Gardner Smith Thoenen and Diana Buck Thoenen. She grew up in Rye, New York.

Beth attended Swarthmore College from 1979 to 1983, where she studied History and was affectionately known to her friends as "Spike." She went on to build a successful career as a skilled software technical writer, respected for her clarity, precision, and dedication to excellence.

Beyond her professional work, Beth was a passionate editor and a deeply literary mind. From 1982 to 2005, she was a contributor to and editor of The Drood Review of Mystery, a literary newsletter and website, which she co-created with her longtime collaborator, Jim Huang, and other friends. Her love of the written word and her intellectual curiosity shone through in all aspects of her life.

Beth believed strongly in giving back. She served for a time on the Swarthmore Alumni Council. Most recently, she volunteered her time and energy to the Malden Warming Center, offering compassion and dignity to those in need in her community.

She had a sharp wit and a love for playing cards and board games. She especially cherished time spent with family and friends in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, where she enjoyed summer visits and tending to her garden.

Beth is survived by her loving sons, Paul Goodman of Somerville, Massachusetts, and Ben Goodman of New York City; her brothers, David Thoenen of Harlingen, The Netherlands, and Peter Thoenen of Thetford Center, Vermont; and her sister, Andrea Hutter of Staunton, Virginia. She is also survived by many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and aunts.

Her humor, intellect, and generosity touched all who knew her. She will be deeply missed.

Donations in Beth's memory may be made to the Malden Warming Center, 529 Eastern Ave., Malden MA 02148 or online www.maldenwarmingcenter.org

Family and friends are invited to gather in Beth's memory for a Memorial Service at Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St. Melrose on Monday, October 20, 2025 at 11am, followed by a reception at the Malden Warming Center. Burial will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Wellfleet on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 12:30pm.