Longtime Roslyn Heights resident Betty Bayliss Kohler died peacefully in her sleep Feb. 27 at Spring Arbor of Richmond, VA, an assisted living facility.
This gregarious and proud Richmond native graduated from Duke University in 1947, where she studied English. In February 1951, she married Stanley Kohler, a native New Yorker. They settled in Roslyn Heights, where they raised two sons, David and James. She and Stanley were very active tennis enthusiasts. Her passion for the game led from the neighborhood court to her employment at the Roslyn Racquet Club, where she worked until her retirement in 1995. Betty and Stanley were married for 37 years, until a brain tumor took his life all too early in 1988 at the young age of 66.
Following her retirement in 1995, Kohler returned to Richmond where she was born and raised. She remained an active member of the St. Albans community until transitioning to Spring Arbor in 2011.
She is survived by her son, James of Chesapeake, VA, five grandsons, one great-granddaughter, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Robert and Mary Bayliss of Richmond; her brother George Bayliss and sister Jane Harlow; and her son, David. All of her family and friends around the country miss her terribly and will always cherish the many fond memories they have of her.
A celebration of her life will be held later this year, and will be announced when arrangements are made. Queries regarding details of that event may be addressed to Jim Kohler at jim.kohler1960@gmail.com.
If you wish to honor Betty’s memory, please consider a donation to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation (www.macular.org/how-donate) or The Stanley & Betty Kohler Endowment Fund at Duke University’s Trinity College of Arts & Sciences at Duke University, Alumni & Development Records, Box 90581, Durham, NC 27708.
