MEMORIALS
Memorials
Barbara Bernstein, Epsilon Chapter
Our beloved Barbara Bernstein, Epsilon Chapter, passed away on May 31st after fighting her valiant battle with brain cancer. She was 79. Barbara was a long-time resident of Las Vegas, and was a dedicated teacher for 40 years. She was very involved in the Jewish community, and active with Congregation Ner Tamid. She loved spending her free time swimming, traveling, and playing Mahjong. Her friends fondly remember her as a go-getter, always so full of life. Barbara is predeceased by her husband, Stanley, and her two sons, Michael and Marc.
DKG Nevada State would like to recognize Barbara for her many years of service to Epsilon Chapter and our state organization. Barbara has been a DKG member since May 2016. She has served on the DKG Nevada State Executive Board as Epsilon Chapter’s co-president for the past 7 years. During her tenure, Barbara attended every State and International Convention, and all State Executive Board meetings and Leadership Trainings until her medical condition made it impossible to travel. Over the years, she helped promote, plan, and initiate joint meetings with members of nearby Gamma Chapter. In 2019, Barbara accepted the DKG Nevada State Delta Rose Outstanding Achievement Award for inducting seven new members. Barbara and her co-president, Jennifer Neeman, worked tirelessly to implement the Rebel Teach program in the Clark County School District, of which she was extremely proud. Barbara was twice honored with Epsilon Chapter’s Rose of Recognition award. We honor Barbara’s dedication and commitment to DKG. Her beautiful smile, warmth, and exuberance will be forever missed.
Ruth Braswell, Nu Chapter
Ruth passed away peacefully on May 13th, at the age of 92. Ruth was a dedicated member of Delta Kappa Gamma for 42 years, joining Nu Chapter in September 1981. Nu Chapter member, Judy Silker, shared the following sentiment: “Ruth’s legacy will be with us all for many years.”
Ruth grew up in Billings, Montana, and taught primary schools in Montana and Washington state before moving to Carson City to teach in 1962. Ruth taught 3rd and 5th grade at Fritsch Elementary School until she retired in 1991.
Following retirement, Ruth became an active life member in the Retired School Employees’ Association (Carson City branch) and served as President. She was also a member of their teachers’ scholarship program committee and served as Chair. Ruth loved gardening and traveling in their camper with her beloved husband, Joe. She was a lifelong Catholic and also supported and participated in her husband’s church, the Good Shepherd Wesleyan.
Ruth was predeceased by her husband and is survived by her brother, Joe’s four children, 8 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and 1 great, great grandchild.
A funeral Mass was held on June 8th at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church. Donations may be made to the Carson City Retired School Employees’ Association.
Patricia Jo Hutson, Nu Chapter
Patricia passed away on March 28th surrounded by loved ones from complications after a three-year battle with lung cancer. She was 78 years old. Pat graduated from Sparks High School in 1963 and from the University of Nevada-Reno in 1969. She began her 30-year career as a teacher, coach, and mentor at Vaughn Middle School and then was a part of the staff at Wooster High and Galena High.
After retirement, Pat kept herself busy volunteering in various capacities in the community and in her granddaughter’s classroom, and she applied to be an attaché for the Nevada State Legislature, where she worked for nine sessions. Pat was a dedicated DKG member, joining Nu Chapter on September 1, 2015. She was actively involved from the get-go as she was in everything she did, serving as Co-President for 4 years, 1st Vice President for 2 years, and Secretary for 2 years. Her chapter sisters remember her generosity in sharing her home for their meetings, crafting for their annual craft fair scholarship fundraiser, and helping organize the Northern Nevada Holiday Luncheon and the Nevada State Convention when it was Nu’s turn to host. Pat held a seat on the Alpha Chi Nevada State Executive Board as Nu Chapter President for 4 years, and she also served on the Nevada State Nominating Committee for 8 years.
Pat was an avid reader, loved to create her own greeting cards, enjoy a glass of wine, travel, and spend time with her family and friends. She especially enjoyed traveling to spend time with her grandchildren on vacations and watch them compete in various athletic events. She was so very proud of all her grandchildren and cherished every minute she was able to spend with them. She is survived by her two sons and her five grandchildren.
A celebration of Pat’s life took place on May 6th in Carson City. Nu Chapter President, Ann Standley, had these words to say: “Pat grew communities wherever she went. She is the soul of community. I will miss her spirit.”
Kathleen Rothchild, NU Chapter
Longtime DKG member, Kathleen Rothchild, passed away in her Carson City home on December 4th. She was 77. Kathy was born in Reedley, CA, graduated from Reedley College in 1965, and earned a bachelor's degree in English from the University of California at Berkley in 1967.
She began her career as an elementary school teacher in Carson City in 1968. Her spirit of kindness, values of honesty and selfless service, and love for young minds made her one of the finest teachers in Carson City. She was much loved by students and fellow teachers alike. Kathy was twice recognized as the Nevada State Teacher of the Year. She retired in 2011 after a career of over 40 years of devoted service to the children in her community.
Kathy was a talented musician, sharing her talents as a member of, and musical director at, Capital Baptist Church, and a member of First Presbyterian Church in Carson City.
Kathy devoted 46 years to Delta Kappa Gamma as a member of Nu Chapter. She was inducted as a charter member of Nu Chapter on May 19, 1978. She is the last active member of those initiated as charter members. Kathy continued to be an active member, holding many officer and committee positions. She had currently been serving as Nu Chapter’s parliamentarian before her passing. Kathy received Nu Chapter’s Rose of Recognition in 2012-2013.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Larry. They were married for 45 years. She is survived by her sister and brother, two sons and a daughter, 8 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Kathy was laid to rest on December 15th in Auburn, CA. Her family plans to honor her with a memorial in Carson City at a later date to be determined. DKG Nevada State will remember Kathy during the Ceremony of Remembrance at our State Convention in Winnemucca this April.
