Elizabeth Anne Romeling

East Nassau- Elizabeth Anne (née Dean) Romeling, 78, died on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, after a more than six-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Born in Auburn, NY, on November 23, 1946, she first moved to Albany, NY, and then to East Nassau, NY, in 1977 with her husband, Mike, who passed away in 2013 after 42 years of marriage. Liz was a longtime East Nassau resident for more than 44 years. In October 2020, she moved to the western United States to be closer to her son and daughter as she continued her battle with the disease. In late August of this year, Liz entered The Kingston Residence Memory Care in Santa Fe, NM. Prior to that, and over the previous three years, she lived near her daughter and grandchildren in Taos, NM.

She was the daughter of the late William Edward and Margaret Anne Dean. A 1964 graduate of Auburn’s East High School, she earned her degree in psychology from SUNY Potsdam in 1968. Liz worked as a social worker and Supervisor in the Albany County Department of Child Welfare for 38 years, retiring in 2005. She then continued her service for several more years with the New York State Department of Social Services, traveling regionally throughout the state until retiring from that position in 2008.

Away from work, Liz was a dedicated mom and wife, an excellent cook, and an avid movie watcher. She was renowned by her family for her chocolate fudge, among other sweet treats. She also volunteered and worked at the Chatham Library and volunteered with the East Nassau Town Board, staying politically engaged during her retirement.

In her life with her husband Mike, she enjoyed hiking in the woods around their property, listening to live music, cross-country skiing, canoeing, sailing, candle-making, and collecting maple syrup. After her husband passed away, Liz stayed busy and cherished her dear friends and her book club group.

Elizabeth is survived by her son, Matthew E. Romeling of Claremont, CA; her daughter, Shannon E. Romeling of Taos, NM; her brother, Laurence E. Dean of Auburn, NY; sister-in-law, Debra A. Dean of Auburn, NY; nephews William E. Dean and Colin R. Dean of Auburn; and sister-in-law, Crystel E. Romeling of Stillwater, NY, and nephew Jamie M. Romeling of Stillwater, NY. Liz—“Gram,” as she insisted on being called—is also survived by her four beautiful grandchildren: Juniper R. Nykamp (15), Killian M. Isom Romeling (3), Briggs L. R. Nykamp (3), and Ruby E. Nykamp (3 weeks).

Relatives and friends will be invited to a celebration of life to be held in the spring or summer of 2026 in East Nassau, NY, with more details to follow. Her cremains will be buried next to her beloved husband, Mike, in the East Nassau Cemetery.

If desired, Liz’s family suggests donations be made in her memory to the Alzheimer’s Association. Checks may also be mailed to The Community Foundation, 2608 Genesee Street, Utica, NY 13502, with the memo line: W. B. Romeling Memorial Fund.