Pia Kraus Aitken
Pia Kraus Aitken, also long known by her professional and pen name Barbara Harwood, died at San Javier Hospital in Guadalajara on August 14.
Born in Lincoln, Nebraska, on July 13, 1940, Aitken graduated from the Sidney, Nebraska high school and the University of Colorado, majoring in journalism. She had a varied and distinguished career, first as a professional singer, then a reporter for Time Life with her own Denver TV show, followed by a long career as a design builder of energy-efficient and healthy low-income housing, serving on three Presidential Commissions and receiving numerous awards.
Aitken lived in Ajijic for eight years, where she was the volunteer coordinator for the Northern Lights Music Festival, and served on the Board of Directors of the Lake Chapala Jewish Community. She was a well-known area speaker on clean energy and water topics, and recently a frequent contributor to the Ojo del Lago. Her latest book with Ajijic resident Jack Prinz, “One Step Ahead,” has just been published. An accomplished pianist, she frequently held musical evenings in her Ajijic home.
Aitken is survived by her husband, Donald Aitken; daughter Robyn Gothelf of Detroit Michigan; son Victor Bannon and honorary son Dan Koh, both of Dallas Texas; and seven grandchildren.
There will be a “Celebration of the Life of Pia Aitken” at the Lake Chapala Open Circle area on Sunday, August 30, noon. Flowers are welcome if they are live in pots, and will be planted in a special Aitken memorial garden area at her house after the commemoration.
Kevin Lee Loughary
Eight-year Chapala resident Kevin Lee Loughary died in his home on August 13. He was 59 years old.
He was born January 16, 1956 in Farmington, Missouri and raised in Caledonia, Missouri where he graduated from Valley High School.
Since his youth, Loughary had an avid love for horses and was very experienced in breaking and training horses. During his life he participated in numerous horse shows throughout regions of Missouri. Before relocating to Mexico, he always had one or more horses at his home.
By profession, he was an experienced auto mechanic receiving training with General Motors in various specialty schools. He enjoyed tinkering with and repairing older cars and in restoring them.
In May, 2007 Loughary relocated to the Lakeside area. Due to health reasons, he retired from employment with the State of Missouri’s Department of Corrections as supervisor of the automotive department at the Potosi Correctional Center in Potosi, Missouri.
Joining with friends, Loughary frequented local establishments such as Bar Tomas and Johny’s Restaurant in Chapala and Smitty’s in Riberas. He was known to often furnish coins to neighborhood children of whom he was fond.
Loughary is survived by one son, Garrett Loughary, 32, of Illinois; his parents Robert Murrill and Rolalie (West) Loughary; brother Steve and wife Pam all of Caledonia; and sister Sandra Hutchings and husband Tony of Potosi, Missouri. He leaves four nephews, one niece and seven great nieces and nephews.
By his and his family’s wishes, Loughary was cremated and his remains returned to his family in Missouri.