- Date Of Birth: September 1, 1924
- Date Of Death: March 22, 2019
- State: Florida
Barbara (Betty) R. Koehler Fairburn, age 94, formerly of Mattituck, NY and Deland, FL, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 22, 2019 at her home in Rockledge, FL.
Betty was born on September 1, 1924 in New York, NY to John and Catherine (Haeger) Ripp.
She married Charles H. Koehler, Jr on August 24, 1947 and their family grew with the addition of a son and daughter. After the passing of Charlie, Betty married Bernard M. Fairburn on November 24, 1984 blending two families with the addition of his daughter and two step-sons.
Betty retired from the Mattituck-Cutchogue School District in 1979 as Cafeteria Manager. She also worked as a caregiver of an elderly couple. She made her retirement home in Deland to be near her brothers and worked with her sister-in-law in her ceramics shop for a few years.
Upon her marriage to Bernard (Red), she relocated to FL’s east coast where she volunteered with the Parrish Medical Center Auxiliary until her health no longer permitted. Together, they built a vacation home in the NC mountains which the whole family enjoyed.
Everyone who met her, loved her. Betty was a wonderful friend, Mom, Grandmother, and Nana. She was a faithful servant of the Lord and shared her spiritual strength with all.
Everybody remembers Betty as the best cook, baker, and gardener. She also loved to read, work crossword puzzles, quilt, and observe nature. She always laughed telling the story of nursing a baby robin back to health and teaching it to fly by flapping her arms! Road trips and cruises were some of her favorite vacations.
Betty is survived by her son Charles “Chuck” H. Koehler III (wife Valerie) of Greeneville, TN, daughter Carolyn K Menard (husband Richard) of Zebulon, NC, step-daughter Pamela S. Fairburn of Rockledge, FL; brother Jack Cola (wife Laura) of Ft. McCoy, FL, sister Katherine Catapano of Tomball, TX, sister-in-law Madelyn Jensen of Northport, NY, grandchildren Justin Koehler, Chad Menard, Brianna Koehler Schwartz, Jesse Menard, and Marcy Menard; step-grandchildren Jeffrey Schisler, Denise Schisler, Kimberly Schisler Hunter, Robin Schisler Rainey; great-grandchildren Kyle and Ryan Rainey, Clay and Brooke Schisler, Lila Menard, Dov and Liev Schwartz; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Betty is predeceased by her parents, both husbands, brothers Karl Ripp and Frank Cola, step-sons Donald R. Schisler and James P. Schisler, step-grandson Monte Schisler, and great-granddaughter Olivia Mae Menard.
Betty’s nurses and caregivers have become members of our family and will always have a special place in our hearts for taking such great care of our Mom.
Wuesthoff Brevard Hospice & Palliative Care
661 Eyster Blvd.
Rockledge, FL 32955
3671 S. Hopkins Avenue
Titusville, FL 32780
PO Box 105
Mattituck, NY 11952
Love You More, Mom
