Obituary of Elizabeth "Beth" R. Pruser

Elizabeth Rooney Pruser, 82, and known to all as Beth, died peacefully at Huntington Hospital on October 25th. Beth was a long-term resident of Centerport, NY, a place she loved to call home and the town where she lived for more than 50 years. She is survived by her loving daughter Kathy Ryan (Jay), devoted sister Margaret Brick (Thomas), and beloved brothers Peter Rooney (Joanne) and Paul Rooney (Annette).  

Beth was born on November 26, 1941, in Long Island City, NY, to Joseph and Mary Rooney. She was baptized and received first Holy Communion at St. Mary’s Church, also in Long Island City, where she lived with her parents and siblings until relocating to 248th Street in Little Neck, NY in 1952. A graduate of St. Anastasia’s parochial school in Queens and St. Michael’s High School in Manhattan, Beth initially took a responsible position in the export division of the American Tobacco Company. Later, she completed undergraduate studies at Stonybrook University and obtained a law degree from the City University of New York, becoming a celebrated criminal defense attorney with the Queens division of the Legal Aid Society. With her formidable litigation skills and deep interest in fairness, Beth spent more than three decades providing legal expertise, support, advocacy, and hope to some of New York City’s most vulnerable populations. During those years she was a fixture in the courtrooms at Kew Gardens and Long Island City and an avid patron of the lunch scene at Pasta Lovers on Queens Boulevard.

“Aunt Beth,” as she was known to her nieces (Christine, Megan) and nephews (Peter, Michael, Christopher, Sean, and Ryan), grand-nieces (Rebecca, Emma, Cara, Ashley, Madeline, Jaclyn, Tommie) and grand-nephews (Alex, Peter, John, Aden, Joseph) was a luminous figure in the life of her extended family and a mainstay of their many graduations, weddings, birthday parties, and other milestone celebrations. She loved a dance floor, a destination, and a great time, especially if it involved seeing the special friends and chosen family whom Beth gathered close to her in life. A select group of her oldest friends spent many a New Year’s Eve playing Scrabble around Beth’s kitchen table. In retirement, her competitive spirit and interest in games also came to include mah jong and an extended “mah jong family,” with whom she played most Thursdays at Sagamore Yacht Club. To the end, she remained an avid reader, active member of three book clubs, a proud parishioner at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs church, consummate “life of the party,” and much-beloved member of her community. She died surrounded by family who loved her deeply, who held her hand at the end, and whose grief at her passing is tempered by the enormous dignity and joy Beth radiated in life. 

 Visiting Nolan Funeral Home. 5 Laurel Avenue, Northport, Tuesday 3-7 pm. Funeral Mass Wednesday 10:30 am at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church, Centerport, NY, burial to follow at St. Patrick's Cemetery, Huntington, NY.