Elizabeth Roderick Jarok
September 1, 1948 - January 9, 2026
Elizabeth Roderick Jarok of Chelmsford, MA, passed peacefully at home at the age of 77, on January 9, 2026, after a battle with cancer. She was the devoted wife of 31 years to John Jarok, who predeceased her in 2005. Beth leaves two sons: Geoff Jarok and his wife, Samantha, of Nashua, as well as Jonathan Jarok of Chelmsford. She was a proud grandmother to Ian and Aaron Jarok. Beth’s family extends to loving sister Robin Henry and family of Gainesville, Florida; niece Heather Beene and family of Williston, Florida; and nephew Grant McCloud and family of Huntsville, Alabama. She also leaves cherished friend Scott Higinbotham of Chelmsford who has been by her side for nearly 18 years.
Beth was born in Hoboken, New Jersey on September 1, 1948, to the late Frank and Nancy Roderick. They moved soon after to Paramus, New Jersey where she spent her formative years graduating from high school in 1966. She attended Grove City College in Pennsylvania, and later Trinity College in Connecticut where she earned a Masters in English. She began her career in Connecticut as a middle school English teacher and married John Jarok in 1974. They moved to Chelmsford in 1977 and started a family. She spent about a decade as a stay-at-home mom and then returned to teaching ultimately as a full-time instructor at Middlesex Community College from where she would retire in 2008.
A brilliant home was kept on Westford Street for nearly 50 years, Beth was strong member of the community as well as her church, Central Congregational Church, where she and John served many roles over the years. She was dedicated to her place in the choir and playing bells, a Sunday ritual. In retirement she learned how to play piano through courses at MCC as well as vocal lessons at Indian Hill Music. Beth traveled with friends to learn about our world from Scotland to Russia. She and Scott were keen patrons of the local arts and were often attending a concert or exhibition. She was also a devoted member of Westford Chorus, College Club of Greater Lowell, and a book club of friends which spanned decades. Beth was busier in retirement than in previous years! After all the friends, family, and activities, in the quiet times she could always be found with a book and was proud to see that devotion to reading has been passed on to her grandchildren.
Beth was a big proponent of community improvement. In lieu of flowers we ask that you consider a donation to the Open Pantry of Greater Lowell (http://www.theopenpantry.org) or a similar organization that helps those who are disadvantaged near where you live.
A memorial service in her honor is planned for Saturday January 24th at 1:00 PM at Central Congregational Church, 1 Worthen Street, Chelmsford, Massachusetts 01824. The service will also be livestreamed for those who cannot attend in person (https://www.facebook.com/Central.Congregational.Church/ ). Her Interment will be held privately. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home, 24 Worthen St., Chelmsford, MA. Funeral directors Paul A. Hardy, Jr. and Jennifer Lebaropoulos Hardy. For online condolences please visit ChelmsfordFuneralHome.com .
