A long-serving member of the Supreme Court staff who was appointed a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, and awarded the Queen’s Certificate and Badge of Honour for her dedicated service and charitable work, was remembered by friends as a powerhouse for excellence.

Elizabeth Mroz, known to all as Betty, retired from the courts in 2012 after 51 years’ service to the legal system.

As the Assistant Registrar of the Supreme Court, Mrs Mroz was responsible for the day-to-day management of the registry.

She served countless judges, both in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, and watched the Supreme Court grow from one to four justices as well as helping to set up the support staff for the appeals court.

She was widely known for her work as the treasurer of Project 100, a charity dedicated to those with mental health conditions.

Mrs Mroz was also an officer of the Eastern Star and president of the US Civilian Woman's Social Club, which encourages the fellowship between the citizens of the United States and Bermuda.

Retired Puisne Judge Norma Wade-Miller, a close friend and one of the trustees at the Verbal Victory Bermuda Spelling Bee where she gave her time, said Mrs Mroz was “foundational” to its launch with her “professionalism, expertise and generous spirit”.

“Trustees have spoken of Betty’s quiet but purposeful demeanour and the wisdom she shared so freely with us. She did not seek the spotlight, yet her impact was unmistakable — her counsel was measured, her commitment was steady and her belief in the power of words to uplift young people never wavered.”

Mrs Justice Wade-Miller said her friend’s legacy lived on in “every child who steps to the microphone, spells with courage and discovers his or her voice”.

She added: “In running the registry, she was even-handed and pushed all employees to achieve their maximum capabilities.”

In a statement incorporating comments from lawyer, friend and colleague Peter Miller, Mrs Justice Wade-Miller told The Royal Gazette that her friend “saw language as a tool for dignity”.

“Words mattered to her — precise words, kind words, words that could lift a child or sharpen an argument. That’s why she gave so much of herself to Verbal Victory’s Spelling Bee.”

Mrs Justice Wade-Miller described Mrs Mroz as a listener by nature, with “that rare gift of making everyone feel heard while still moving us forward”.

Delroy Duncan KC said: “Betty was always impeccably presented — a tall, striking and elegant woman. Betty had a steely intolerance for anything less than excellence.”

Mr Duncan added: “Betty was the linchpin who efficiently managed the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal Registry during the tenure of the late Sir James Astwood.

“She presided over the registry as it transitioned from serving predominantly Bermuda-based legal disputes to overseeing a diverse mix of local and international disputes.

“It is no exaggeration to say that the Supreme Court Registry as we know it today stands, in part, on the foundation of Betty’s tireless dedication and high standards.”

Mr Duncan said he would “always hold dear the memory of Betty’s warmth and encouragement when I first entered the practice of Bermuda law”.

He added: “She welcomed me at the registry with genuine kindness. Her passing is a deep loss and she will be greatly missed.”

Elizabeth Marie Mroz, a tireless member of staff for the island’s courts, was born on March 4, 1944. She died in April 2026, aged 82