Elizabeth Rita (Verdecchio) Miller, born on Aug. 23, 1940, in Penns Grove, N.J., passed away peacefully on May 10, 2026.
Liz was the second of four children to Pietro Verdecchio and Alvera (nee DeClemente) Verdecchio. She was predeceased by her two brothers, Ricardo and Arlmondo. Liz has a sister, Jeanette Spencer of Penns Grove, N.J.
Elizabeth attended and graduated from St. James Catholic School in Penns Grove. After graduation, she was accepted at West Chester State College (now West Chester University). As a physical education major, she belonged to the Valkyrie Club. She learned the skills of the PE teacher and also became a PIAA official.
Upon graduating from college, Elizabeth began her teaching career at Penns Grove High School, coaching her field hockey team to its first championship in 11 years.
In 1966, Liz moved to Avon Grove High School, where she coached tennis and field hockey along with her teaching duties and officiating.
Liz returned to education, earning her master’s degree in counseling from Villanova. She proudly wore her Villanova sweatshirt for years.
On her own time, she also traveled back to her home grounds to coach the girls field hockey team at St. James High School in Penns Grove. She also purchased the team’s uniforms and donated the hockey goals at St. James, as well as equipment at Avon Grove. In those days, girls sports were not supported to the same degree as the boys.
After 33 years of service, Liz retired from teaching in 1995. She and her husband, Merrill, moved to Cape May in 1997.
At that time her interests were tennis, reading and gardening. By 2006, Liz had begun docent work at Historic Cold Spring Village; usually seen as “the lady of the house” in the Spicer Leaming building.
No services are scheduled at this time. Visit spilkerfuneralhome.com to share condolences.
