Betty J. I. Baron
Share
The celebration of Betty’s life is to take place at the Unitarian Congregation of Lawrence on Saturday, July 29 at 2:00 p.m.
Having survived decades of autoimmune conditions, she left her beloved family and friends on April 28, 2023. She enjoyed reading, writing, and solving puzzles—word, number, logic, and jigsaw—as well as games, especially Scrabble, Boggle, and cards. She liked photography, classical and folk music, and opera. Walking, swimming, and cooking gave her pleasure, as did travel and language adventures.
Born July 22, 1942, in Highland Park, MI, to Walfred and Lillian (Isotalo) Isaacson, Betty graduated from Cass Technical High School, in Detroit, where she pursued the chemical-biological curriculum, edited the Cass Technician, and worked as an assistant in one of the biology labs.
After she received a B.A. in English from the University of Michigan, Betty moved to Berkeley, CA, with plans to attend Stanford University in the fall of 1964. Instead, she met Frank Baron, whom she married on July 12 at the Unitarian Church near Berkeley. Before joining the Peace Corps with Frank, Betty served as principal of the Children’s Center in Oakland. Following two years teaching English in Ethiopia, the couple moved to Munich, Germany, where Frank had received an Alexander von Humboldt grant.
Betty enjoyed accompanying Frank on his trips to places both domestic and foreign. The couple spent time in Germany, Mexico, Japan, China, and South Africa.
In August, 1970 Frank and Betty moved to Lawrence, where Frank had been appointed assistant professor of German at the University of Kansas. Betty worked as an editor and book reviewer. In preparation to teach ESL at the adult level, she attended graduate classes at KU. She then taught at the Don Bosco Center and at Johnson County Community College, until 2003, when she accepted the position of campus recruiter for the Peace Corps at KU.
She received awards for both writing and editing. At the University of Michigan, for example, Betty received first prize in the undergraduate division of drama, which Arthur Miller presented.
She enjoyed volunteering as a language consultant, reading for the sight-impaired, and serving as a docent. She served the Unitarian Universalist congregation in Lawrence on several committees, and twice as secretary, twice as chair. She also participated on various boards, including the Emergency Services Council and the Ecumenical Campus Ministries.
Betty was proud of survivors: husband, Frank; son, Christopher, and his wife, Beth Skinner; and daughter, Maya.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Audio-Reader, the Spencer Museum of Art at KU, Just Food, Doctors without Borders. the Humane Society, or other charity of donors’ choice.
Betty was a true example of a Humanitarian. She always gave back and helped other people. She had a sparkle and twinkle in her eye and voice. She was most friendly and helpful. She was a great model of a great person putting others first. She loved the Endacott Society as well as Frank and her children. We miss you Betty.
I had the pleasure of directing Betty in two theatrical productions – THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER at Theatre Lawrence when it performed at the Carnegie building, and GOODBYE,MY FANCY at KU in the Crafton-Pryor Theatre in I believe ,the summer of 1986.In both roles she”became” the characters and gave outstanding performances.I loved working with her and will miss her greatly. You could always elicit her warm,friendly smile.I will never forget Betty! I think I can imagine how Frank will miss her.Frank,we all share your loss! Bobby Patton
Frank and family,
My sincere condolences for your loss! Betty was a lovely lady and I know she will be missed by many.
I so enjoyed the time I spent with your family in holzkirchen in 1981. You were a big help with my weak German!
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Frank and family,
Betty was a lovely and caring human being who made a difference for others. I got to know her when she served as the Peace Corps recruiter at KU, and she was an important resource for KU students–always positive and kind. I also knew Betty through Friends in Council and the Spencer Museum of Art docent program. She was always a joy to be around. My heart-felt condolences to the family in this loss.
I worked with Betty for many years at Audio-Reader. She was always so kind and helpful, sharing tips on gardening, travel and the latest book she was recording.
Frank and family,
Deepest condolences to all of you on Betty’s passing.
I met Betty and Frank in Boston, MA in 1966 during our Peace Corps training to teach in Ethiopia. From the beginning, Betty’s charm, dedication to others, creative talents, and whimsy stood out. We were assigned to teach in southern Ethiopia in separate towns, but luckily we were close enough to travel back and forth on week ends on the raucously noisy Ethiopian busses. Betty loved the passengers’ chatter and especially the Ethiopian music the bus drivers played en route. I have such fond memories of the Peace Corps experience that my husband Ron Overmann and I shared with Betty and Frank over those two years. We had a few visits in the U.S. afterwards when we met them and their two young children in Washington, DC. Ron and Frank also shared professional interests. And Betty wrote amazing holiday letters – her writing was an annual treat.
Best wishes,
Kathy Beckman, Washington, DC
Ron Overmann, San Francisco, CA