Notes for: Elizabeth Anna Eckert
Obit - Funeral Home - December 27, 2024
Elizabeth Anna Kohut was born on October 4th, 1946 in Dayton, OH to the late Joseph Frank and Imelda (Nartker) Eckert and passed away in Beachwood, OH, at the age of 78, on December 27th, 2024. Elizabeth, or Betty as she liked to be called, is the beloved wife of the late USAF Brigadier General Orest Leo Kohut (whom she affectionately referred to as Orrie); a loving mother of Steven (Kristine) Kohut of Texas, David (the late Tania) Kohut of Florida, and Nicholas (Kristi Lee) Kohut of Maryland; cherished grandmother of Sebastian, Pieter, Maia, Oaklee, Brixley, and Stashko Kohut and dear sister of Virginia (Kenneth) Bruns, Bernard (Barbara) Eckert, Louis (Sue) Eckert, and Margaret (Mark) Bierbaum.
Betty was always a very inquisitive person who loved to learn. After graduating from Julienne High School, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Dayton. Her love of adventure and education led her to teach for a brief stint in the Canary Islands where she wasn't afraid to use the Spanish she learned in high school. Upon returning to the states, Betty and her childhood friend Tina Kavy regularly attended dances at Wright-Patterson A.F.B. Officer's Club. It is there that she met Orrie, the love of her life.
The two married in 1971 and began their Air Force adventures together. While Betty sacrificed her career to become an officer's wife, she was in her element with the many responsibilities attached thereto. Along with her adventurous spirit, she was a very social person. There wasn't a room or a situation that she was in where she wouldn't have talked to the entire room at some point in the night, learning about each and every individual and making those anxious individuals feel welcome and at ease. Betty and Orrie lived in Omaha, Nebraska and then Los Angeles, California where they had their first child. Then, back to Dayton, Ohio for their second and off to Camp Springs, Maryland for their third. All along the way, Betty and Orrie made lifelong friends.
After having three children, Betty became known as someone who "specialized in boys," whom, in order to keep track of, she regularly dressed in identical clothes. Thankfully, the family of five was able to take a breather for a few years and settle into Maryland while Orrie was able to work at Andrews A.F.B., Fort Belvoir, and the Pentagon. However, staying in one place for a little while didn't slow Betty down as she was constantly taking her children and guests to the various parks, museums, and monuments in the Washington D.C. area.
After taking many military "hops" over to Germany throughout the years, the family moved to Germany in 1985. Betty was excited at the opportunity to live abroad. When not exploring Europe with the family or keeping her three boys and husband in line, Betty was thoroughly involved in the Officer's Spouse's club and the base church. From there, the family moved back to Camp Springs, Maryland for a year before jetting off to Los Angeles, California. Again, Betty completely immersed herself in the community through her involvement with her church, the surrounding bases, and the local chamber of commerce. After four years in Los Angeles, the family moved back to Dayton, Ohio for three years before moving back to Camp Springs, Maryland where, after about two years, Orrie settled into retirement and Betty went back to work issuing licenses for Prince George's County.
Once fully retired, Betty and Orrie continued to travel together internationally to places like Iceland, China, and Saudi Arabia and domestically to National Parks around the country. It became a competition within the extended family as to who could obtain more National Park stamps. Betty, to this day, and probably for years to come will still hold the record.
Once Orrie was unable to travel, Betty became his caretaker until his death in 2021. Betty was still involved in the Camp Springs Civic Association, her church, and always knew what was going on in the neighborhood. As it became apparent that Betty, herself, needed more assistance, she moved to an independent living community near her sister, Virginia, on the outskirts of Cleveland in 2024. It wasn't long before she became close friends with many of the residents and staff. Unfortunately, and unexpectedly for us, God called her home to Him and Orrie on December 27th, 2024. However, the aunt Betty hugs, the sound of her voice, the kindness she showed and the love that she shared with everyone she met will live on. She will be greatly missed, forever remembered, and always loved by everyone that was blessed to know her.
Betty will have a funeral mass, will be laid to rest with her husband at Arlington National Cemetery, and will have a celebration of life at a later to be determined date. As soon as that information is available, this obituary will be updated. Arrangements by Johnson-Romito Funeral Home, Twinsburg, Ohio. www.johnsonromito.com