Alice Elizabeth Siler Kauffman, affectionately known as Betsy, passed away Monday, April 21, 2014. She was a proud 13-year survivor of pancreatic cancer. A memorial service and Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Trinity on Friday, April 25, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. The Reverend Barbara Kirk-Norris will be the celebrant. She was born April 19, 1928 in Waynesville, North Carolina to William Rufus and Anna Boone Siler. She entered St. Mary's Academy in Raleigh, North Carolina, and completed her BA degree from the Women's College of the University of North Carolina in 1949. She attended graduate school at Tulane University in the School of Social Studies. She also completed a Master's Degree at UTPB in 1993 in history. Betsy taught history at San Jacinto Junior High School before becoming chairwoman of the History Department at Alamo Junior High School. She married Arnold E. (Andy) Kauffman, her husband of 63 years, in 1951 after a courtship in New Orleans, Louisiana. The wife of a geologist, she lived in New Orleans, Houston, Wichita Falls, Bakersfield, CA, and Dallas before retiring to Georgetown, Texas, and then to Midland. She loved to travel and to go camping. They camped from Maine to Vancouver. She also loved river cruises in Europe. Betsy was a lifelong Episcopalian and involved with altar guilds in multiple parishes, Women of the Church, and church hospitality committees. After raising four children, she was actively involved in the Assistance League of Dallas. She also served as president of the Assistance League. Additionally, she was a member of the Junior League, Daughters of the American Revolution, National Society of Colonial Dames, and Children of the Confederacy. Betsy was an avid bridge player. She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Ann Siler and Emily Siler Rothrock Durban. She is survived by her husband, Andy; four children, Drew and wife Lexie of Midland, Robert and wife Michele of Amarillo, John Boone and wife Dian of Corvallis, Oregon, and Jane Kauffman of Midland. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Jerrad Kauffman of Midland, Cade and Abigail Kauffman of Midland, Elisabeth Kauffman of Lubbock, Mary Katherine Kauffman of Los Angeles, and Cimarron and Kenai Kauffman of Corvallis, Oregon. Additional survivors include Mary Ann Way of Waynesville, North Carolina and multiple nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials be made to the University of Texas MD Anderson Hospital and Cancer Institute, Alzheimer's Association, the American Cancer Society, or the Episcopal Church of the Holy Trinity.
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3 Entries
Dr. Kauffman I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. My thoughts and prayers are with
you and your family.
April 25, 2014
Jane,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
T. Bryant
April 24, 2014
Dr K and Family, our thoughts and prayers are with you. May God's love comfort you at this time.
Vicki and Steve
Vicki Baker
April 24, 2014
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