Elizabeth Biggins Schaab — known to all who loved her simply as Beth — passed peacefully at her home in Monroe, Maine, on May 6, 2026, surrounded by her family. She was 73 years old.

Beth was born November 28, 1952, in Chicago, Illinois, to Virginia Margaret and Richard Vincent Biggins. She grew up in the Edison Park neighborhood, where her curiosity and creativity took root early. As a girl, she found herself drawn to the galleries of the Art Institute of Chicago, to the natural world, to music, and to the company of cherished friends — a constellation of passions she would carry with her throughout her life.

She graduated from St. Scholastica High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts from the University of Iowa. With her education, her imagination, and an open heart, she was ready to build something lasting.

Beth married Michael Schaab, and in 1978 the two of them did something remarkable: they moved to Maine and built their home — a three-bedroom house and barn — from the ground up. It was a fitting beginning for a life defined by making things with her hands and her spirit.

For many years, Beth taught and created, offering her students and the world a body of paintings and sculptures. In time, she returned to school to earn her master's degree from Endicott College, following a calling toward Montessori education. She dedicated herself to teaching young children in Bangor, Ellsworth, and Surry, Maine, and played a meaningful role in establishing the pre-K program at Surry Elementary School — work whose ripple effects will be felt for generations.

Beth and Michael were fortunate to travel widely together, exploring the art, landscapes, and cultures of Holland, France, Italy, Ireland, and Turkey, among other places. In 2025, she joined Michael and dear friends aboard a 31-foot sailboat for 12 days to cross the Gulf of St Lawrence and sail along the rugged western shore of Newfoundland — an adventure she said she would never forget.

She lived in Turkey for a while and her love of Izmir found its way onto the page. In addition to her body of visual artwork, Beth published two collections of poetry: the cliff may be imagined (2022) and izmir washed in salt (2024), the latter born from her deep connection to that city by the sea.

Beth was well known for her beautiful smile and the laugh that came with it. She participated in life with full presence — as a painter, a poet, a teacher, and member of her community. She volunteered in local schools and libraries, supported the nonprofit Waldo County Bounty, and was a beloved and devoted member of her writing group. She tended her garden with the same care she gave to everything and everyone she loved.

Above all, Beth cherished her family and her friends. She was devoted to her three children and was an amazing and loving wife, grandmother, great-grandmother, and companion — always the first to listen, always ready to help. Her absence leaves a space no one else could fill, and she is deeply, dearly missed.

Beth is survived by her husband, Michael Schaab; her children, Sam Schaab (Katie), Ben Schaab, and Emma Perry (Steve); her grandchildren, Anna, Aspen, Ella, Eva, Audra, Clara, Luke, and Kayla; her great-grandchildren, Rowan and Adelynn; and her sisters, Kathleen Brady and Mary Hurley. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Richard Biggins; and her sister, Virginia Hernandez.

In accordance with her wishes, Beth was cremated. Family and friends are warmly invited to gather and celebrate her life in Monroe, Maine, on Saturday, August 15.

A service will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the Monroe Community Church UCC, 26 W. Main Street, Monroe, ME 04951, followed by a celebration of her life at her home at 38 Stovepipe Alley, Monroe, ME 04951.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. Guests are welcome to bring additional beverages and, if they wish, a dish to share for the potluck.

Please RSVP mschaab1919@gmail.com  so we can plan accordingly.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to Waldo County Bounty (https://waldocountybounty.org ), Waldo County Hospice Volunteers (https://hospicevolunteersofwaldocounty.org  ), or a charity of your choosing.