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PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Marybeth “Lady Pythia” Witt danced her way into the Goddess’ arms, Saturday, June 22, 2024, at 3 a.m. She left us by the bright lights of the Summer Solstice and the Strawberry Moon.
Marybeth was born April 2, 1952, in Manhattan, New York, to the late Robert William Witt and Eva Mondrut Witt, and raised in Youngstown. She graduated from Ursuline High School in Youngstown. She attended multiple universities, earned her BA in English literature from Youngstown State University and later studied at Kent State University. She taught English as a second language at YSU.
As a Wiccan priestess, she co-founded the Coven of the Floating Spiral in 1975. In 1985, she co-founded the Ohio Local Council of the Covenant of the Goddess. She was active in pagan communities, both locally in Kent, as well as nationally through the Covenant of the Goddess, and was elected second officer of that organization in 1989. She was well respected as an elder in the modern Wiccan community.
Disabled physically for many years, she was nonetheless a published poet, gifted writer, jewelry artist and a remarkably accurate astrologer.
Marybeth is survived by brothers, Andrew T. Witt of Youngstown and Robert C. Witt of Henderson, Nevada; and sisters, Susan M. (Douglas) Sheffield of Girard and Virginia M. Witt, MD, of Piscataway, New Jersey, with whom she resided in her later years.
Services for a celebration of her life will be held in the autumn in Kent.
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Joyce Ceryan (Frericks)
I am always sad to read of a classmate's passing... we have lost so many!
Marybeth was highly spiritual. She sat very near me in Mr. King's English class, which often seemed to lack much substance; thus, giving Marybeth plenty of time to write her own " curriculum. " She psssed many beautifully written, poignant, often spiritual poems to me during those English classes. I am not surprised by the path she followed in life. I hope she finds eternal peace in the afterlife by whatever gods ( God) are out there.
Joyce Ceryan Frericks
William (Bill) Kakish
Marybeth was a true friend to me. I spent four years in Speech and Debate with Sr. Rosemary just to be able to stay after school and walk her home down Wick Avenue while I went to catch a bus to Idora Park where my mom would pick me up. My favorite memories were of going to tournaments on the weekend with the forensics team. I always treasured her friendship. She saw in this akward, shy geek the person who just wanted to fit in and have a girlfriend and get married one day. Though our paths diverged when we went to college, we kept in touch, especially through this website. Even through the separation and our strangely different paths, we shared a sense of kinship. Thank you Tony for keeping us up to date.
Martin Poluse, Ph. D
Marybeth was an extremely bright individual. I admired her ability to see things differently both theologically and historically. Her enthusiasm for life and learning were special gifts that she embraced.
Marty Poluse
Janice Crish
Marybeth was always kind to me. Although she was shunned by many she never waivered in what she believed. I pray that she finally has peace in her next life.
Alice Fox
I didn't know Mary Beth very well but was always impressed with her intelligence and courage to follow her own path. May She rest in Peace 🙏
Ed Brennan
While I did not really know her she sounded like a very engaging intelligent women. Tony thanks for sharing this .Rest in pease Marybeth
Edward Sobnosky
As with many other Ursuline students Marybeth and I worked the summer months at North Side Swimming Pool and I got to know her a little bit during that summer. Interesting that after all these years I suddenly started to remember our interactions within the last few days prior to my seeing her death notice. She was as nice a person as you will ever meet had a great sense of humor and I value the few memories I do have of her.
Rose Ellen Morrison (Lucarell)
I didn't know her well either, but she seemed very approachable at the reunions she attended.Rest in peace Marybeth.💜
Leah DeSantis (Boselli)
I too, am always saddened by the passing of a classmate. Perhaps because each occurrence gives us pause to reflect.
I am sorry that I did not get to know Marybeth in our short time at UHS, having only one class together--US History. Even so, it was evident then that she was an independent, forward-looking and caring person.
How very fitting that her transition from her earthly plane to the next was on the summer solstice.
May you rest in eternal peace.