Betty Bauer, known lifelong as Pupper, died peacefully on April 28, 2025, surrounded by her family and friends. She was 94 years old.
Pupper came into this world on June 3, 1930 at her childhood home on 1654 7th Street, the youngest of 8 children of Roscoe and Julia Price Wamsley. She spent her early years there with her brothers and sisters, Eugene “Gene”, Edmund “Punk”, Francis “Buzz” Wamsley, Dorothy “Sis” Tower, Julia Imelda Radic, and Ruthanne “Stretch” Emnett, all of whom proceeded her in death. Another sister, Johanna, died as an infant. Pupper and her sister, Ruth, were taken by boat out of the second story of their home in 1937 during the flood and sent Columbus by train to stay with relatives until the flood waters subsided. Since first grade, Pupper’s very best and lifelong friend was Dolores Schoonover.
Pupper met Earl Bauer after tennis and over drinks at the Park Shop and married him on September 19, 1953, a 66 year marriage which lasted until his death in 2019. During their lives together, they built five homes, among them their first on Pleasant Avenue, and their retirement home on Circle drive. Theirs was a happy and blessed union which brought four children into the world, all whom survive- Barbara (George) Davis, Gregory (Kim) Bauer, John (Vicki) Bauer, and Jimmy Bauer. As Pupper tended her brood, she also became a gifted seamstress. She made many of her children’s clothes, did alterations for the town’s dry cleaners, and crafted elegant bridal gowns. She made many quilts during her lifetime, gifting them to family and friends, and oversaw the creation of countless others for the Irish Festival at Holy Redeemer Church.
Pupper’s devotion to God and to her church were absolute. She was a lifetime member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, serving in every capacity possible. She was an original member of St. Joseph’s Monastery Women’s Board, the Ladies Guild, Holy Redeemer Choir, and she was a member of the Third Order of St. Francis. She served on Parish Council, was a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, and was the Sacristan for 22 years. She attended daily Mass at the Monastery. Pupper was known for her good deeds to others and for the prayers she offered on behalf of those in need.
A special thanks go to Kerry, Michaela, and John, Pupper’s Hospice team who tirelessly and with great love and tenderness cared for her.
In additionto her children, she is survived by 5 grandsons, George (Christina) Davis, Stuart (Stephanie) Davis, Matthew (Kaitlyn) Bauer, Andrew (Lauren) Bauer, and Gregory Bauer, along with 6 great-grandchildren, Luca Davis, Beckett Davis, George “Penn” Davis, Luke Bauer, Andrew Bauer, and baby Nathan Bauer, who she met for the first time shortly before her death.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 A.M. Saturday, May 3, 2025 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, with Father David Glockner officiating. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery.
A visitation for friends and family will be on Friday, from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. at Melcher Hammer Funeral Home in Portsmouth. A Recitation of the Rosary will be 6:00 P.M. at the funeral home on Friday.