Iris Berets - Kansas City Jewish Chronicle

Iris was born in Detroit on Dec. 26, 1941. She died peacefully at Kansas City Hospice House on Jan. 10, 2021.

Iris grew up in Detroit surrounded by family, including much-loved aunts, uncles and cousins. She graduated from Mumford High School in Detroit and then got her Bachelor of Arts degree in English, and her master’s degrees in art history and in social work, from the University of Michigan.

These varied academic achievements reflect Iris’ enormous curiosity about life, books, movies, art and — most of all — people. Iris was always interested in helping people with personal and interpersonal issues and she was a great listener. It made sense, then, that when Iris moved to Kansas City, Missouri, with her husband Ralph, she earned her master’s and doctoral degrees in psychology from the University of Missouri, Kansas City. While studying for these degrees and caring for her family with Ralph, Iris also worked for Catholic Charities, Planned Parenthood and taught at Johnson County Community College. She subsequently worked as a clinical psychologist for over 20 years.

When Iris and Ralph retired, they moved to Mill Valley, California, to be near Iris’ dear friend and cousin, Susan Saltzman (Suzie), and Suzie’s husband Alan. While in Mill Valley, Iris volunteered for Marin County Hospice and for Marin County Health & Human Services. After 10 years, Ralph and Iris moved to the Washington, D.C. area to be close to their daughter Jessica and her about to be born son, Ajay. Iris volunteered with Ralph at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Having collected art — especially baskets — throughout her marriage, Iris also became interested in making collages and took classes in adult education at both American University and George Mason University.

Wherever she went, Iris’ curiosity about others, her capacity for listening, and her ability to laugh with others and at herself, helped her develop many close friendships. She had a unique, warm, and enviable sense of style; her clothing and home decor reflected her desire for comfort, warmth and whimsy.

Iris is predeceased by her parents, Morris and Geraldine Botwin. She is survived by her sister Davida (Steve) Letovsky, and by her loving husband of 57 years, Ralph, and their three children, Eric (Ginger) Berets of Columbia, Missouri, Keith (Lenora) Berets of Boulder, Colorado, and Jessica (Davinder) Aulakh of Arlington, Virginia, as well as seven grandchildren: Tyler, Morgan, Harrison, Lillian, Samuel, Jeremy and Ajay, and two great-granddaughters, Makenna and Raegan.

Due to COVID, services will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent in her name to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, 100 Raul Wallenberg Place, SW Washington, DC 20024-2126 or any other charity of your choice.