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University Mourns Loss of fellow Hawk, Elizabeth Rozek

Elizabeth Rozek, a 21-year-old senior health studies student, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Sept. 28 at Monmouth Medical Center.

Due to a predisposed condition in her brain that wasn’t detectable, Rozek had a brain aneurism while driving, causing her to graze a utility pole on the 500 block of Norwood Avenue at 8:11 am Sept. 27.

President Paul Brown sent out an email on Monday, Sept. 29 informing the campus community of the tragic news. “The University regrets the untimely death of a member of our community and extends its deep sympathies to her family and friends at this most difficult time. The loss of such a young person is truly tragic,” the email read.

Rozek was born in Freehold Township, but resided in Jackson Township most of her life. While attending the University, Rozek lived in Pier Village with fellow friends and students.

Andrea Hope, an assistant professor in the department of health and physical education, taught Rozek in her “Lifespan Development and Health” class last semester. She said, “I was heartbroken when I heard what happened. Liz was a wonderful student. She was very curious and full of enthusiasm. My heart goes out to her friends and family. She will be greatly missed.”

Mary Anne Nagy, Vice President for Student Life and Leadership Engagement, said, “While I did not know Elizabeth personally, it is always painful for us to see a young life end. She was a good student, interested in going into the medical field and actually worked in several places to help prepare her for a career in the health/medical profession. This is certainly a difficult time for her family and all who knew her here at Monmouth and we will continue to keep them in our thoughts going forward.”

Members of the Hawk community were respectfully invited by Nagy via email to attend her visitation on Thursday, Oct. 2 at the George S. Hassler Funeral Home in Jackson Township. A funeral service was held on Friday, Oct. 3 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Howell, NJ.

In order to help pay for the services, a “Liz Rozek Funeral Fund” was created on GoFundMe.com. As of Oct. 7, over $15,200 was raised by over 340 people in the past six days, surpassing the original goal of $10,000.

“This page is dedicated to a truly amazing person, Liz Rozek, who was a sweet, kind, and beautiful young lady. Liz had a smile that could light up a room,” stated Tyler Kent Humphries, creator of the funeral fund.

“Unfortunately Liz was taken way too soon and without any warning… Death is an unexpected thing sometimes, which is why we are asking for donations to help Liz’s family through this difficult time and help them with the proper burial for this angel,” Humphries continued.

In addition to the funeral fund, Nagy said at the family’s request, contributions may be made in Rozek’s memory to sponsor scholarships in health studies at the University.

Elizabeth is survived by her parents, Andrew and Cathy, her brother, Nicholas, her maternal grandparents, Victor and Dorothy Simon, and many aunts, uncles, and several cousins.

IMAGE TAKEN from gofundme.com