Bethia Reid Kornbluh

Bethia Reid “Beth” Kornbluh, 88, passed away December 12, 2020, with her loving husband of 57 years, Harvey, at her side.

Born on October 28, 1932, in Motherwell, Scotland, she was the daughter of James Wilson and Margaret (Scotty) Armour Wilson George.

Named after her beloved grandmother, Bethia Reid, she and her family moved to Corby, Northamptonshire, England, site of a large steelworks; where they joined their many fellow Scots as a major part of the labor force during WWII. Beth said that when the Germans flew over Corby on their way to bomb London, they would all run for cover and into their bomb shelters.

After leaving school and surviving tuberculosis, she worked at various jobs until she met and married a GI and moved to the United States. She lived in North Dakota and went back to the U.K. a few years later with her son, Kim, age 4 at the time, but after staying awhile with family, she decided that they would return to the Northwest U.S.

Beth later met and married Harvey Kornbluh, and after living and working in Minot and Grand Forks, North Dakota; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Knob Noster, Missouri; Titusville, Florida; and Augusta, Georgia; they moved to Vienna, Virginia in 1972, where Beth designed and Harvey’s company built their current home.

Beth and Harvey enjoyed their past vacation homes in Bexley, Kent, U.K.; Boca-Highland, Florida; and Eagle-Vail, Colorado. She and Harvey traveled to many places throughout the U.S. and abroad. Beth visited every state in the U.S. except Alaska. She saw all the countries in Europe, and also sailed the seas aboard cruise ships as well. Her travels included Canada, Mexico, Thailand, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Puerto Rico, Bermuda, Virgin Islands, Canary Islands and the Caribbean.

Beth and Harvey loved ringing in the New Year in Edinburgh, Scotland. They also enjoyed celebrating New Year’s in Vail, Colorado, watching the skiers coming down the mountain in a line with torches in-hand while fireworks went off; and toasting to the new year at the bottom of the slopes with their close friends and neighbors, Noreen and Richard Lamb, and others.

Beth also loved going to the Common Riding in Langholm, Scotland in the summertime; celebrating with Harvey and close friends, Dorothy and Robin Board.

Bethia loved animals; attended dog grooming school in New York. She later taught German Shepherd obedience classes in Augusta, Georgia; where she and Harvey lived at the time. She worked for the Wildlife Federation at one time. She donated to animal causes throughout her life. Beth and Harvey shared a love of animals and enjoyed cats and dogs within their household. They loved observing various deer, birds and other wildlife residing and venturing through and behind their backyard out the windows or from the back deck of their home. Flowers and plants decorated the yard and deck and inside as well.

Beth loved to ride horses, bowl, play tennis, swim, sail, snow-ski and to play golf. She especially liked watching the Masters Tournament and attended many times over the years. She loved to dance and enjoyed many social events in her lifetime; including hosting holiday and pool parties at their home.

She enjoyed traveling and wanted to see as much of the U.S. and the World as possible. Beth accomplished both. She flew on the SST Concorde to England and back and if she had the chance, she would have wanted to fly to outer space – to Mars, the Moon, or elsewhere, if possible.

Beth loved adventure and if you were to ask what her favorite trip was, she would say: South Africa, on Safari.

Beth loved her son and his family very much.

She always looked forward to visits with her cousin, Alan Armour and his wife, Diana, whether it was in the U.K., or when they came to America. She had always loved going to see Alan’s parents, Charles and Margaret Armour ,which she did quite often over the years, and whom she called Aunt Peggy and Uncle Chick.

Beth was close to her cousin, Alexander (Sandy) Mackenzie, whom she would visit when she went to the U.K.

Beth loved the impromptu visits from long-time friend, Jerry Apa, who would fly into D.C. from South Dakota to surprise her on her birthday. She also kept in touch for many years with her childhood friend, Dorothy Cooper Board, and her husband, Robin.

Recently, Beth told us all that she had “done everything on my bucket list.”

Bethia Reid was preceded in death by Lance Kornbluh (son). Beth is survived by Harvey Kornbluh, husband; Kim Hansen, son (Susan); Adela Gain, step-daughter (Doug); Tracey Kornbluh-Connell, step-daughter (Randy); Steven, adopted son; Ashley Kline, granddaughter, (Bryan); Amber Junco, granddaughter (Benjamin); Kayden, great-granddaughter; Brooks Reid, great-grandson.

Please share your memories or thoughts about Beth.

Donations in her honor may be made to the Animal Charity of your choice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ4BHM9CgGU