Elizabeth Lyman (Dawson) Dubin, 62, passed away on Friday, July 24, 2026, after a 26-year-long battle with head and neck cancer. Beth had entered hospice care at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston and took her last breath surrounded by her family. Her beautiful, gentle soul is now in heaven.
Beth was born in Burlington, Vt., on May 21, 1964. She was raised on Charles Street in South Burlington and for many of her early years enjoyed wonderful and formative summers at her family camp on Lake Iroquois in Hinesburg. She graduated from South Burlington High School in 1982. She then attended New Hampshire College (now Southern New Hampshire University) where she earned her degree in computer science in 1986.
After college she became a software instructor for McAuliffe’s Office Systems in Burlington. She then joined the Federal Office of Probation as its management information systems manager. She held that position for many years, until 2000. Beth next worked as a graphic designer at her father’s company, Vermont Ware, in St. George, Vt. She later joined Williston Central School as a house “mom” and loved every day of her job working with the kids. She officially retired around 2012.
But Beth’s greatest joy and her “best job ever” was being a mom. With her first husband, Beth welcomed Timothy Clarke into the world in 1992. For a few years, it was just Beth and Timothy taking care of each other. During those years, Beth and Timothy formed an unbreakable bond as mom and son. This is also when Beth first started going to Wells Beach in Maine for one week each summer. First it was just Beth and Tim, but it quickly expanded into an annual event with the extended family. This tradition lasted for many summers and created wonderful memories for everyone.
On a cold March night in 1995, while attending a singles’ dance, Beth met the love of her life. Larry had just moved to Vermont from Philadelphia and was hoping to meet some new friends. Beth and Larry started dating right away, and two years later, on June 14, 1997, Beth, Tim and Larry became a family. Beth and Larry were married at Beth’s parents’ home in South Burlington.
In 2000, Beth and Larry welcomed their daughter, Erika, into the world, and their family was complete. Beth and Erika grew to share a profound friendship that shined as mother and daughter. They had an undeniable bond of love, laughter and light. Beth was happiest taking care of her children. Beth’s favorite career was as a stay-at-home mom. Being a mother to her two children meant the world to Beth. She absolutely loved being a mom. It was the joy of her life.
During their 29-year marriage, Beth and Larry shared six different homes, first living in South Burlington, then moving to Williston in 1998. In 2004, the family relocated to Philadelphia and returned to Williston in 2005. Their last move to New Hampshire was meant to bring them closer to Boston and Beth’s care team at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. But their current home in South Hero was a true labor of love. Beth designed their beautiful post-and-beam home and was instrumental in its 2014-2015 construction.
Beth was a true “crafty” Vermonter. She channeled the handiwork of previous generations as an extremely talented quilter and skilled creator with a needle and thread. In 2017 she took her love of fabric and sewing and created her own sewing business, Sew Colorful. Her creativity and talent shined with every item she made. She sold her items via her website, and during the fall she would travel around New England to sell in person at holiday craft fairs.
Another of Beth’s “Vermont talents” was being an incredible cook and baker, skills handed down from her mom and her grandmother. Beth knew her way around a kitchen like a professional chef. Most of her husband’s and kids’ baking and cooking skills were taught to them by Beth. Recently, Erika took this knowledge and skill and is now a professional pastry chef in New York City. Beth made the best turkey gravy at Thanksgiving. She happily hosted family dinners and events, including, for about 20 years, her famous and well-attended holiday Cookie and Carol Party. Beth looked forward all year to the Cookie and Carol Party. She would spend weeks preparing the 30-plus cookies, treats, decorations and invitations. If there was a cookie you liked, Beth probably had it there for you. Larry would lead everyone in caroling. If there were holiday tunes you liked to sing, there were sing-alongs with Larry on the guitar all night long. One year, “Feliz Navidad” was sung for over 30 minutes and was led by Tim and his friend Carlos, an exchange student from Mexico.
Besides baking, cooking and sewing, Beth was a true animal lover. In her early years, she owned a horse, Bunkerdo. Beth competed in dressage competitions and exhibitions. She loved every minute she spent with Bunkerdo. She had many cats and dogs in her life but developed a special attachment to her last dog, Layla. Layla faithfully sat next to Beth and was there for her through every surgery, illness or whenever Beth just needed a little extra love. Layla was always right by Beth’s side every time Beth was in her garden. Beth loved to feed and listen to birds. She also loved chipmunks and would patiently hand feed chipmunks that came right up to her.
Beth loved to travel, especially with family. Cruising was Beth’s favorite type of vacation. Once she set foot on a cruise ship, the weight of the world was off her shoulders. Together, Beth and Larry took more than 40 cruises and land tours to places like Alaska, the Mediterranean, France, Italy, the Caribbean, South America, Ireland, Iceland, Belgium, Spain, Scotland and Norway. Beth had a love of our country’s national parks. She was able to visit Rocky Mountain National Park, Arches, Canyonlands, Acadia, and, most recently, the Grand Canyon and Denali.
Beth did not leave this world without a fight. To everyone around her, even her entire Dana Farber Cancer Institute team, Beth showed unwavering determination in fighting her cancer head-on. Beth was an absolute example of being “Vermont Strong.” Beth had a fierce attitude toward beating this horrible disease and living life as long as possible. Through her 26-year battle with cancer, she endured 10 surgeries, two rounds of radiation, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, immunotherapy and four different chemotherapies. Although cancer took away her smile, her hair and her ability to eat, it never reduced her will to live. This amazing woman fought until the very end.
Beth is survived by her devoted husband of 29 years, Lawrence Dubin; loving children, Timothy Clarke (Nicole Baker) and Erika Dubin; brother and sister-in-law, Tyler and Madeleine Dawson; nephews, Cory and Jake Dawson; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Lisa and Mike Ehrenberg; an aunt; and many cousins from the Dawson and Lyman families. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dale and Elizabeth (Betty) Dawson. Beth also leaves behind many, many lifelong friends from all her experiences and endeavors. A warm spirit and true angel on earth, Beth always looked for the good in people and left a lasting impression on everyone she met.
A Celebration of Life for Beth will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2026, 11 a.m., at the Congregational Church of South Hero. The church is located at 24 South St., South Hero, VT. After the service, a luncheon will be served. All are invited to spend time with Beth’s family and share stories about Beth. She is truly someone who enjoyed life and loved all her family and friends.
If you’d like to honor Beth in some way, in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to help with the fight against cancer. Donations can be made in Beth’s honor to the American Cancer Society, Dana Farber’s Jimmy Fund, Cancer Research Institute, Camp Ta-Kum-Ta in South Hero, or any other local or national cancer organization.
Beth’s family wishes to thank all the incredible and dedicated doctors, nurses and medical professionals in Burlington, Vt., and Boston who worked so hard and for so long to help her in her battle.
Beth fought cancer valiantly for 26 years. Despite her struggles and setbacks, she continued her quest for a cure with many medical and surgical procedures. Her spirit shined through, and her determination endured until the very end. Now may this “rock star” beacon of life and light rest in everlasting peace.