Bette B. Brashar
Bette Bernice Brashar, born
June 18, 1930 in Cody, WY, died peacefully on the evening of May
14, 2018. Bette spent her first years at Valley Ranch near Cody, Wyoming. After the early death of her father during the Depression, she and her mother moved frequently to find teaching jobs, settling permanently in Salisbury, MD at age 12. She and her mother spent many summers in New Mexico, where she met her future husband, Robert F. Brashar. She and Bob were married in the summer of 1948, and began life together in the Chama Valley.
As Bette raised their two daughters, she was bravely persistent in living her convictions, which included her belief that children growing up amidst mountains and ranches should love horses and riding, and be able to climb to the top of every mountain in the area, so they would know the view on the other side. She set the example by meeting that challenge herself at every opportunity. Bette pursued art and established close friendships with her bridge buddies, with whom she played for over 50 years. She was active in the Chama School PTA, volunteered as a fundraiser for the Presbyterian Church and the Santa Fe Opera, and helped with music festivals and theater productions. Bette also was a realtor for seven years, a job she loved as it gave her an excuse to explore every road in the area. Her descendants are grateful for her adventurous spirit, her commitment to lifelong education, her passion for art and the beauty of the world around us, and her love of animals. These values were her greatest gifts to us.
Bette was preceded in death by her parents, Clayton and Bernice Mead Brady and her beloved husband Bob. She is survived by her two daughters and husbands, Devi and Charlie Lawrence and Shane and Col. John Russell; her grandson and wife, Elliot and Mary Wilkinson; her two great-grand-children Ellie and Ben Wilkinson; her cousins John Mead and Alice Mead Corbett and their extended family, and her brother-in-law G.K. (Bud) Brashar and his extended family, as well as her "Team" of helpers: Debbie Hughes Sosa, Viola Trujillo, Michelle Trujillo, Gayl Bonwell, John Maez, Mikaela Martinez, Barbara Sanchez, and Marty Madrid; and her bridge buddies: Francis Rhoerig, Beva Russom, and Valerie Weiss.
The family thanks Bette’s "Team" in Chama who cared for her as if she were family, and helped her enjoy the final years of her life. The family also thanks The Retreat, Rio Rancho, NM, and Hospice de la Luz for their kind and respectful care of Bette, and Dr. Joy Lovette for her wisdom, expert medical care and appreciation of Bette’s sense of humor. In lieu of flowers, donations to the NM Alzheimer’s Association, the Animal Humane Association, or Doctors Without Borders are appreciated. A Memorial gathering will be held at the Heron Lake Visitor Center, 640 State Road 95 Los Ojos, NM 87551, on June 16th, @ 11:00 a.m., with a meal to follow. For directions to the memorial, online condolences, and more, please visit www.danielsfuneral.com