By Nicole Hamilton
The Cincinnati Enquirer

For four decades, Betty Ann Stoll was a dedicated volunteer for the American Red Cross. She was also a member of the Cincinnati Health Department's volunteers board, past president of Federation of Catholic Parent Teacher's Association, and sat on the Cincinnati Council on World Affairs.

"People will remember her friendly personality," said her husband of 63 years, George W. Stoll of South Fairmount, whom she met on the cross-town streetcar in the1930s. "She was a wonderful wife and mother."

Mrs. Stoll died Nov. 19 at Western Hills Retirement Village of Alzheimer's disease. The longtime South Fairmount resident was 83.

Mrs. Stoll began her work with the Cincinnati Area Chapter of the American Red Cross in 1950. Over the course of the next 40 years, she served as chairwoman of several committees, including the volunteers, nominating, and merger task force committees.

Her husband said that she particularly enjoyed getting youth involved in volunteering. As the chairwoman of production for youth services, she traveled to other places in the country for the Red Cross, for youth volunteer-related events.

Mrs. Stoll represented the Cincinnati Area Red Cross at the 1972 presidential inauguration ceremony and ball, and served on the board of directors for 12 years.

She was a member of the National Catholic Association; the Roger Bacon High School advisory board; a member of several divisions of the Parent Teacher Association; and past treasurer of the St. Ann's Society, in addition to being a lector and communion distributor coordinator.

Ms. Stoll remained physically fit by practicing yoga and taking Jazzercise classes until she was 78 years old.

And she studied ancient history, Bible history and archaeology at the University of Cincinnati's Evening College until she was 70.

She was an active traveler who enjoyed visiting the places she studied - such as Israel and Egypt. After her husband retired as a captain in the Cincinnati Fire Department, they traveled the United States together, seeing every state except Alaska.

In addition to her husband, other survivors include a daughter, June Helen Vaught of Delhi Township; four sons; Kenneth of Mariemont, Allen of Petersburg, Va., George of Wilder, Ky., and James of Tempe, Ariz.; 16 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Services have been held. Burial was in St. Joseph Old Cemetery, Price Hill.

Memorials: American Red Cross, Cincinnati Area Chapter, 720 Sycamore St., Cincinnati 45202; St. Bonaventure Church, 1798 Queen City Ave., Cincinnati 45214; or VITAS-Hospice, 1132 West Kemper Rd., Cincinnati 45240.