Claire Piche

Area Operations Director

Claire Piché started her career in the cemetery and funeral business back in 2009 as the receptionist at Beth David Memorial Gardens. Upon graduating with a degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Florida Atlantic University she had plans to move on and utilize her degree, but NorthStar had a different path in mind and was offered the position of General Manager. Claire developed a passion for the industry, welcomed the opportunity and says being able to guide and support families on their toughest day is beyond rewarding and the relationships we build with the families we serve are irreplaceable. Claire saves all the notes from families she has helped over the years and says that it means the world when a family’s come back weeks, months, or even years later just to say Hello!

As a Florida native, when she is not managing the day to day operations at Beth David, she enjoys anything outdoors where the sun is shining. Architecture, art, the beach, paddle boarding, working out and spending time with her family, friends and fur-babies, Chichi and Lola are some of her downtime interests. Whenever she can, Claire loves to travel throughout the States and abroad. This job has taught her to stop, take life in while appreciating every moment and always remember to live, laugh, love.

Chamely "Mely" Toro

General Manager

Chamely "Mely" Toro was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts and is fluent in Spanish. She is a first generation Funeral Director/ Embalmer. Her journey in funeral industry began in 1995 when she started her first summer semester at Mount Ida College in Newton, Massachusetts. She relocated to warmer weather and graduated with an Associate of Science Degree in 1998 from Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida. After working many years in Broward county, she has recently joined Palm Beach Memorial Park to continue serving families during a difficult moment. Mely enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and shopping.

Erica Smith

Chapel Location Manager

Erica Smith was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and has lived in Palm Beach county since 2008. As chapel location manager, she serves families as they experience one of their most difficult times.

Her interest in the funeral industry was sparked at an early age as she spent time at the Medical Examiner's Office where her father worked as an autopsy technician. In 2014, her younger brother passed away. Planning his celebration of life service was the catalyst for her return to the classroom to pursue her childhood passion of becoming a funeral director.

Erica graduated with an Associate of Funeral Science in 2016 from the Philbrick School of Funeral Science at Miami Dade College in Miami, Florida. While she was earning her degree, she started serving families in Palm Beach County as a funeral attendant and later as a funeral director. Prior to becoming a licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer, Erica was a police officer in both Philadelphia and Cobb County, Georgia. She would later relocate to Florida where she became a safety and loss prevention director for a leading hospitality company.

In her free time, Erica enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, podcasting, and eating seafood.