Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Birk December 29, 1929 – April 19, 2026

Elizabeth Ann (Voje) Birk, lovingly known as Betty, age 96, of Fort Pierce and Vero Beach, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 19, 2026. Born on December 29, 1929, Betty was the youngest of four children of Angela and Frank Voje, proud Slovenian immigrants who built a life in America through grit, sacrifice, and unwavering faith. Her father worked in the coal mines before he and Angela found work in a New York hat‑making sweatshop—humble beginnings that shaped Betty’s lifelong patriotism, gratitude, and deep appreciation for hard work.

In February 1954, Betty married the love of her life, Frank Jakob Birk, beginning a 71‑year marriage filled with devotion, laughter, music, and family. Together they raised three children—Steven, Patricia, and Kathleen—in Middle Village, New York, where Betty created a home known for warmth, hospitality, and an open door to anyone who needed a meal, a smile, or a listening ear.

Betty retired in 1990 from Wyckoff Heights Hospital, where she worked in the volunteer department and was cherished for her kindness, reliability, and ability to brighten any room. After retirement, she and Frank moved to Fort Pierce, Florida, embracing a new chapter of sunshine, community, and time with family. They enjoyed golf, bowling, exploring new beaches with their grandchildren, and the simple joy of being together.

Betty was known for her infectious smile, her social nature, and her gift for making people feel welcome and valued. She was a joy to spend time with—warm, funny, and endlessly generous. Throughout her life, she volunteered for those less fortunate, delivering meals, offering companionship, and giving her time freely. Service was not an obligation for her; it was a calling.

Music was one of Betty’s greatest joys. She loved to sing, harmonize, and dance with Frank, filling their home with melodies that became treasured family memories. Whether singing in the kitchen, harmonizing at church, or dancing with Frank at family gatherings, her voice and spirit lifted everyone around her.

Her family was the center of her world. She cherished her son Steven and his wife Elizabeth, and delighted in their daughters, Michelle Elizabeth and Kristin Margaret. She celebrated Michelle’s marriage to Peter Dehaas and took great joy in their children—Emerson, Mason, and Brooklyn. She was equally proud of Kristin and her husband Matthew Hill, and loved watching their boys—Matthew, Pierson, and Beckett—grow, learn, and thrive.

To her six great‑grandchildren, she was lovingly known as “Gigi,” a name that perfectly captured her playful spirit and boundless affection. She treasured attending her grandchildren’s weddings and embraced every moment spent with the next generation.

Betty carried the memory of her daughter Patricia, who passed away in 1992, with profound tenderness. Her youngest daughter, Kathleen (Kathie), remained a constant source of companionship and love, supported by her partner Cliff Gushen. Betty’s bond with her children was deep and enduring; she was their anchor, their confidante, and their greatest champion.

A longtime resident of Fort Pierce, Betty was preceded in death by her beloved husband Frank; her brothers Frank and Stanley, and her sister Marion.

Betty will be remembered for her grace, her generosity, her patriotism, her joyful spirit, and the love she poured into her family and community. Her legacy—of service, music, faith, and family—will continue to shine brightly in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her.

The family will receive friends from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. at Cox‑Gifford‑Seawinds Funeral Home, 1950 20th Street, Vero Beach, FL, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Helen Catholic Church in Vero Beach.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites those wishing to honor Betty’s memory to consider a memorial tree. To order memorial trees in memory of Elizabeth A. Birk, please visit our tree store. Online condolences may be shared at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com