Betsy Anne Mahler, 90

Betsy Anne Mahler, 90, peacefully departed this life, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, surrounded by her children. 

Born Jan. 7, 1935, during the height of the Great Depression, she was the daughter of the late Bess Lee and James Cordon Rigdon. She graduated from Lafayette High School and attended the University of Kentucky. She left her career in special diagnostics at the University of Kentucky to be a full-time mom. She loved volunteering at the local food pantry, St. Joseph Hospital and St. Patrick Catholic Church. She brought style, elegance and grace to everything she touched. Her culinary and hostess gifts emerged at an early age when she invited all the second-grade girls to her impromptu birthday party! The party was also a big surprise for her mom, as she didn’t know about the celebration until the first guest arrived at the door. She made holidays and birthdays special for her entire family. Whether she was president of the Alpha Omega Sorority or starting the very first bridge club in her new community of Mt. Sterling, she always brought people together with the most elegant meals and effortless entertaining. She shared countless delectable desserts and meals with those facing loss and difficult times. She loved traveling the world with Charlie, playing cards, folk dancing, and spending time with friends. Her greatest accomplishment was her four girls, and she instilled the values of hard work, resilience and compassion for others. 

Our mother’s strength was our inspiration, and she always told us to pull our hair back and move forward because “this too shall pass.” 

Survivors include three daughters, Kay Kessler Johnson, Ann Kessler Pence (Troy) and Patricia Golden (Dale); 12 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. 

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles; daughter, Milli Wills; grandchildren, Kelli Kay Tipton and John Tipton; and sisters, Carolyn Wheeler and Pat Rigdon. 

Graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 12, at St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery in Mt. Sterling.