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Elizabeth “Beth” Dearden Wrenn-Johnson, 67, lost her fight to pancreatic cancer on April 20, 2018 surrounded by her loving family. Beth was a lifelong educator and retired school principal at the Mary D. Stone Elementary School in Auburn, MA. Post-retirement, she worked as a Realtor for Emerson Realtors in Auburn.

Beth was predeceased by her former husband and life long friend Dennis F. Wrenn, her parents Stanley and Yvonne Dearden, and her brother William Dearden. She is survived by her sister, Margaret Spinner of Brunswick, Maine; her children, Jessica Wrenn, 41 of Pinehurst, NC; Elizabeth Nichols, 39 of Shrewsbury; MA and Scott Wrenn, Esq, 38 and his wife Brooke Wrenn, 39, of Auburn, MA. Beth also leaves behind five loving grandchildren; Wyatt Lyons, Travis Nichols and John Nichols Jr.; Madison Wrenn and Kennedy Wrenn; a niece, Karen Spinner and husband James Isbell of Elkins, AR and a nephew, Kevin Spinner and wife Sarvenaz Zand of Mill Valley, CA. Lastly, Beth left behind her faithful companion, a Cavachon named Belle.

Beth was born in New Bedford, MA on October 19, 1950, to William “Stanley” Dearden and his wife Anne Yvonne. She grew up in Fairhaven, MA with her siblings Margaret “Peggy” and William “Bill”. She graduated from Fairhaven High School, after which she attended the University of Massachusetts (UMASS) - Amherst, where she obtained her Bachelors Degree in Music and Education. It was there that she met the love of her life, Dennis F. Wrenn. Beth and Dennis were married in Fairhaven, MA on August 19, 1972.

After graduating from UMASS-Amherst, Beth and Dennis settled in Auburn, MA. Beth spent the entirety of her career in education with the Auburn Public School System. She started her career in 1973 as a music teacher in the Auburn Public Schools. In 1982 she started as the Supervisor of Music. While serving in this capacity, she obtained her Masters in Education Administration in 1988. She then accepted a position as the supervisor of Fine Arts for the Auburn Public Schools. In 1996, she became the principal of the Mary D. Stone Elementary School, where she remained until her retirement in 2008. In her retirement, Beth worked part time at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Shrewsbury, MA. There, she taught music to Pre-school thru Grade 8 students, she lead the yearly Christmas pageant and Spring musical, and also worked with students for the monthly masses. After a short retirement, Beth became a real estate agent working full time as a Realtor with Emerson Realtors.

In addition to her career in education, Beth wore many hats as a community servant. Over the years, she was a key member and served as the President of the Auburn Rotary Club, she was active with the Auburn Woman’s Club, founder of the Auburn Education Foundation, board member of Auburn Youth and Family Services, director of the Auburn Public Schools Summer Theater camp, she was the recipient of the Outstanding Woman of Auburn Award, and served as the Treasurer of the Massachusetts Music Educator Association.

Beth loved the beach, and regularly vacationed in West Island, Fairhaven, MA as well as Oak Island, NC. She was a daily presence in the lives of her family and grandchildren. Some of her favorite memories involved taking the family out for a lazy Sunday at Old Sturbridge Village, where she was a member for over 15 years. She was an avid supporter of the arts, and frequently attended local theater productions and concerts, many involving her grandson John. She loved to have her granddaughters over for sleepovers and shopping trips to South Deerfield, MA which were never complete without a stop at Yankee Candle. In her spare time, she enjoyed reading historical fiction, shopping for antiques and unique finds, going to the movies, and enjoying her new home with her dog, Belle.

Beth was a member of St. Joseph’s Parish in Auburn, MA, where she played the organ and served as a cantor over the years, as well as sang at countless ceremonies. She was a fierce patriot, and worked hard to instill a sense of pride in country - especially with the young students at the Mary D. Stone School, where she held Memorial Day programs complete with a parade and tribute every year.

A visitation will be held at Britton-Wallace Funeral Home in Auburn, MA on April 26, 2018 from 4-8pm. Beth’s funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph’s Parish in Auburn, MA on April 27, 2018 at 10am. Following the Mass, Beth will be cremated per her wishes, and a private family burial will take place at a later date. Beth was a life long supporter of the Auburn Community, and champion of children and families. In lieu of flowers, we request that donations be made to Auburn Youth and Family Services in her memory. www.ayfs.org/DONATE