Elizabeth Bertha Koletar (“Betty”) passed away on Jan. 24, 2017.

Elizabeth was born in Newton Falls, Ohio on Dec. 3, 1931 to Frank and Mary Koletar, née Pataky.  She was younger sister to Irene, older sister to Frank, Helene and Cynthia, and fun-loving Aunt Betty to her nieces and nephews.

Elizabeth was raised in suburban Buffalo, New York.  Following high school Elizabeth pursued a secretarial career and worked in Washington, D.C., New York City and Buffalo, New York. Elizabeth enjoyed the embassy parties in Washington, the theater and shopping in New York, and was active in women’s clubs in Buffalo. Always an independent spirit who lived life on her own terms, Elizabeth pursued her great love of traveling. She visited every continent except Antarctica, took many trips with her sister Helene, and also travelled on her own.

Her travels took her to Oxford to visit her life-long friend, Mary Beasley, and Elizabeth fell in love with the city. Following her retirement, she decided to make Oxford her home and arrived in the city in October of 1997.  She loved her life in Oxford, and being a well-read, witty, social person, she volunteered with RSVP and the Oxford library, and created a new circle of friends, including the members of the St. Peter’s Episcopal community.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents and her sisters Irene Hursey and Helene Koletar. She is survived by her brother Frank Koletar, sister Cynthia Kelly, and her nieces and nephews: Irene’s children Andrea Segedi, Alison Lutterman, and John Hursey; Frank’s children Lynn Kowalski and David Koletar; and Cynthia’s children Jennifer McDonell, Heather Kelly, and Michael Kelly.  She will also be missed by many dear friends including Mary Beasley, Christine Koletar, Elizabeth Pasco, Delores Duffy, Christine Tatum, Sharon and Charlie Strusz, and her Friday Night Dinner group.

A memorial service will be held on April 8, 2017 at 11 a.m. at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Oxford.  Elizabeth was a great lover of dogs and a contribution to the Oxford Lafayette Humane Society in her memory would be a wonderful way to remember her. Elizabeth’s family would like to thank the Oxford and St. Peter’s communities for the welcoming embrace our Betty experienced during her years in Oxford.  Your southern hospitality was a genuine and beautiful gift to her during her retirement years.