Elizabeth âBethâ Marie Fischer was born on November 9, 1949 in Austin, Texas. The second of three children, Bethâalong with elder sister Martha and younger brother Carlâgrew up in New Braunfels, eventually graduating from New Braunfels High School in 1968.
After high school, Beth attended Texas Womanâs University in Denton, Texas, graduating in four years with a degree from the College of Health Sciences â School of Occupational Therapy.
After graduation, she moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to pursue a post-graduate degree. However, her penchant for service lead her instead to take a position at St. Josephâs Nursing and Rehabilitation Center where she ran the rehabilitation program for three years.