Senior center director dies unexpectedly

At 34, Beth Tecza was decades younger then the seniors she worked with in her job as director of the Geneva Township Senior Center, a position she acquired last month.

Township supervisors were shocked and saddened earlier this week to learn of her unexpected death.

Tecza, of Elgin, died Wednesday at St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin, reportedly from pneumonia.

"The seniors had really taken to her," said Geneva Township Supervisor Patrick Jaeger. "She had bonded with them. She worked well with the other employees, she was doing a very good job.

"Her sudden passing was a tremendous shock, not only to myself but to the township board," he said.

Tecza had filled a position left open after Sherri Weitl quit -- in an apparent dispute with the board --less than a year after the township opened its new center.

Tecza was born Nov. 6, 1973, in St. Charles, and was a graduate of Geneva High School.

She had previously worked for the Salvation Army in St. Charles.

She is survived by her two children, Megan Litas-Tecza and Matthew Litas, and their father, Jan Litas; her mother, Diana Davidson of North Aurora; five siblings; stepmother, Rachael Tecza of Elgin, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Ted.

Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Malone Funeral Home, 324 E. State St. (Route 38), Geneva. The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin.