Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

Elizabeth Mester Bader, 71, passed away in the early morning of Wednesday October 23, 2024. She was known by most as “Beth” and, affectionately, “Bethy” to her siblings. 

Beth, one of four children, grew up in College Park, Maryland, and attended Catholic elementary and high school in the area. As a daughter of a strongly academic father, she naturally attended University of Maryland and earned a Bachelor of Science in English. Logically, with her newly minted degree in English, she joined the Department of Natural Resources for the state of Maryland to become a Forest Ranger. Though her English degree might not have been immediately necessary for this career path, her college years were certainly not wasted. She met her best friend and the love of her life, Mike Bader, who was the “nerdy” randomly assigned roommate of Beth’s English classmate, Bob Maholchic. Beth and Mike’s love was rooted in a deep and genuine friendship which remained constant and unwavering throughout their lives. 

As a self-proclaimed “hippie”, she loved all plants, animals, and flowers. She had a fierce admiration for nature which was deeply shared with her husband, Mike, and quickly instilled in her children, Jimmy and Jackie. She dedicated 30 years to her dream job protecting and respecting the trees and forests across the state of Maryland. Though her long battle with myotonic dystrophy forced her into retirement early, she spent her retirement years enjoying the outdoors as much as possible. Whether it was reading by the pool, taking morning walks along Mt. Vernon trail, or just sitting amongst the DIY botanical garden that her loving husband created on their secluded home and property, Beth always “stopped to smell the roses.” Even in the later stages of her illness, she would break out of the house on her scooter to take “laps” around the house on a makeshift track, hand laid by her adoring husband. 

In her younger days, Beth was an incredible athlete, though she never played “organized” sports in school. She would “humble brag” that she was first pick during neighborhood football or baseball games by her late older brother, Clark, which was the highest honor of the town. She continued her athletic fame as an adult slow-pitch softball star with the Red Dogs, where she would outperform her husband, Mike, both on the pitch and at the bar after. Though her illness progressed and robbed her of an inevitable professional softball contract, she seamlessly transitioned to the unruly “soccer mom” on the sidelines of her children’s sporting events. As such, she was known and loved by many (and perhaps feared by some) as “Jimmy’s Mom”, “Jackie’s Mom”, or “Mrs. Bader”. As an avid sports fan, she attended nearly every sporting event of her children and certainly made her presence, and dissenting opinion, known whenever there was a controversial play or call by the referee. 

Above all, Beth enjoyed spending quality time with her family and socializing with friends. Her favorite place was Bethany Beach, where her family vacationed once a year. In true beach bum fashion, she only had one rule: head to the beach at sunrise (or whatever time she could wake up) with a full cooler and leave at sunset with an empty cooler. 

Though no single word could ever describe Beth, these are a few that have been shared by friends and family following her passing: Warm, Strong, Amazing, Bold, Confident, Vivacious, Spunky, and One of a kind. She was a truly passionate and fiery woman that brought zest to our lives. She will be dearly missed. 

Beth’s children express their deepest gratitude and appreciation to their father, Mike, for his years of dedication, strength, patience, and caregiving to their mother. Even in the later stages of her illness, she remained strong, as her and Mike navigated these challenges together. They remained a team and even maintained their playful banter and self-deprecating humor throughout the most difficult of circumstances. 

Beth is preceded in death by her parents, Edmund and Frances Mester, and her brother, E. Clark Mester Jr. Beth is survived by her loving husband, Mike; her sisters, Patty Haupt and Susan Mester; and her children, Jimmy Bader and Jackie Bader. 

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Beth’s life on Saturday November 2, 2024, from 2 to 4pm at Kalas Funeral Home in Oxon Hill, Maryland. Beth was never one for formalities so please leave your tuxes at home and dress comfortably. 

In lieu of flowers, consider donating to the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation or Breast Cancer Research Foundation. One of the best ways to honor Beth’s life is to plant a tree, oak trees were her favorite. As an alternative, consider planting tulip bulbs, her favorite flowers, in your home gardens.


Elizabeth Mester Bader

Elizabeth Mester Bader

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