Elisabeth “Garth” Collins Michels, 69, passed away peacefully on Sept. 29. Born in Athens, Greece, she was the daughter of a government family who traveled the globe, living in Cameroon, Africa, before finally settling in McLean, Va., when she was in grade school. Garth graduated from McLean High School in 1972, which is where she met Brian Michels, the man who would later become her husband. She received her bachelor’s in history from Saint Mary’s College, Maryland, and her master’s in education from Georgian Court University, Lakewood. She had a career that spanned from accountant, to homemaker, to owning her own Medicaid consulting business, Michels Medicaid. Garth was an avid gardener and quilter, and was a member of Ocean County Master Gardeners, Jackson Garden Club, and she was Master Composter through Ocean County.
Garth was predeceased by her parents, Ross Jr. and Virginia Collins, her brother, Ross Livingston III, and her sister Virginia “Gigi” Kirchberg. She is survived by Brian, her devoted husband of 44 years, her daughters and sons-in-law, Yardley and David Matlack, and Chelsea and Zach Patberg, her sons, Eric and Taylor, her four grandchildren, Daniel, Alyssa, Indy and Maisie, her sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Russ Rhoads, and her beloved Goldendoodle, Molly.
Garth will be honored at a private memorial service. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Jackson Food Pantry.