Dolores K. (Dee) Ayres of Hampton, Virginia (formerly Richmond) was born on January 9,
1931, to parents Anne and George Kobrick in Hazleton Pennsylvania. She was preceded in death
by her husband of 54 years, Dr. Stephen Ayres and her son, Stephen Ayres Jr. She was educated
at Penn State University and later graduated from Cornell School of Nursing with a Bachelor of
Science. While at Cornell, she met her future husband, Dr. Stephen Ayres and they remained in
New York for a few years where she worked at Cornell and New York Hospital.
A lifelong lover of the performing arts, Dee was proud of her involvement in collegiate
theater—particularly her portrayal of Lady Bracknell in the Oscar Wilde's 'The Importance of
Being Earnest' with the Penn State Players. An avid musician, Dee took up the piano at a young age, giving private recitals,
accompanying choral groups, and even working as an organist for a time at St. Joseph Church in
Hazelton. Dee made music at home as well, playing piano while others sang, especially at
parties around the holidays—a tradition she never stopped. Dee continued to impress family
and friends by playing songs, carols, and even Chopin's famous Nocturne in E-flat major (Opus
9, No. 2) from memory even up to this last Christmas.
A lover of opera, Dee saw many important productions at the MET. She heard Luciano
Pavarotti sing many times and was even joined by him for dinner in a chance encounter. She
would often emphatically sing famous motifs from the overture to her favorite 'La Forza Del
Destino' by Verdi.
An active volunteer, Dee lived in many cities with her husband, supporting him in his
impressive medical career, all while actively volunteering for hospital auxiliaries—even serving
as president for The Medical Facility Wives of Saint Louis University for their 50 th anniversary
year. While Dr. Ayres was Dean of the Medical College of Virginia, Dee served on the board of
the VCU/MCV Hospitality house. During her time, they purchased and remodeled a 'Days Inn' to
become one of the largest hospitality homes in the country.
A collector and lover of antiques, Dee served as volunteer chairman for 10 years at the
Campbell House Galleries West Antique Shop in St. Louis—benefiting the Robert Campbell
House (a historical landmark in down St. Louis). She loved that.
An avid world traveler, Dee accompanied Dr. Ayres to most corners of the globe—either
on his many speaking engagements or genealogical research trips. While out and about she met
notable people, including Mother Theresa, Mary Leaky, multiple Kennedys and even witnessed
the crash of the Concord (later giving a televised interview to NBC). Dee didn't limit her travel
to air, but also by sea—exploring much of the Eastern Seaboard on 5 different vessels, all called
'Sea Ayre.'
A woman of strong faith, Dee was a dedicated church goer, receiving all of her Catholic
Sacraments (including last rites of the church multiple times). She spent her time loving—never
fearing God or what was to come. She spent her final days at home, surrounded by family and
friends, watching baseball & Turner Classics, drinking Cutty Sark, and eating sweets and fried
oysters. She even got the answer to final Jeopardy only days before her passing (it was the
opera, Madame Butterfly).
Dee is survived by her daughter Elizabeth (Betsy) Ayres-Kerr and husband Rob, Daughter
Margaret (Peggy) Frazer and husband Doug—grandchildren Chris Kerr, Benjamin Ayres-Kerr,
Timothy Ayres-Kerr, Stephanie Ayres-Kerr, and Benjamin Frazer—great-grandchildren Patrick,
John Theodore, and Molly Kerr.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 am, Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at St Joseph
Catholic Church, 512 Buckroe Avenue, Hampton with internment to follow at Hollywood
Cemetery in Richmond. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 4:00pm- 6:00pm at R.
Hayden Smith Funeral Home, 245 S. Armistead Ave, Downtown Hampton.