CAROL JEAN SMITH BELSKY BROWN
1941-2020
Carol Jean Smith Belsky Brown born June 2, 1941 at St Joseph Hospital Houston to Laverne Pozyski Smith and Byron Smith, both of whom predeceased her, died July 15 2020, a victim of Alzheimer’s.
Carol graduated from Lamar High school, She was a stalwart volunteer wherever volunteers were needed including KUHT-TV, HLSR and Katrina victims. Working with AFS she hosted numerous exchange students from France, Germany, Belgium and Mexico. She was one of the originators of West U’s pre-K – BeeHive..
She was employed at Central Bank, Dempsey Tegeler & Co. HLSR and The Gage Hotel in Marathon TX..
She was a magnificent seamstress, champion cook - especially chili, and sold many of her watercolor. paintings, but her proudest work was a wall filled with awards for novels and screenplays and Best of Show awards for a short film, Yellow Bird.
She loved real estate and was a master at buying, remodeling and flipping in Houston and Marathon, Texas.
Survived by ex-husband John Belsky, husband Neil (Don)ald Brown and children Steve Andrew Belsky, Leslie Rhea Brown, Douglas Neil Brown and cousins Martha (Bebe) Anderson, BarbraAnn Dotson, Laverne Pozyski Cleboski Donations in her name may be made to Alz.org
In her words: circa 2015 MY OBIT
I am no more. I did not go to be with the lord. I did not pass a way, I did not join my loved ones in heaven. I simply died at the age of 79. And it was about time.
I had a pretty good life. Oh… those who know me know I did have problems in my marriage, and I’m not at all sure my kids really liked me, but as Sinatra sang… I pretty much did it my way.
And then the last 7 years with Alzheimer’s. My thanks to the staff at Silverado Hermann Park, especially Hailea.
All but about 8 years of my life were spent in the house I was born in. I have forgotten how many times I remodeled and expanded that small house.
The neighborhood went from “far away starter homes” to the upscale neighborhood of West University Place. What a fabulous block of kids. I still know all of them. And as of this writing, we gather once a year to see how many are still alive and kicking.
I have had bridge friends since 1963, four originals out of eight. We try to meet once a year for a weekend together. I’m not sure I could have survived without those ears to hear my problems. It’s the kind of therapy we all need. Some of the bridgebroads opened up, some zipped lips. But through the years, previously guarded info did slip out.
There are many acquaintances who do not like me. And many I do not like, but even if I don’t like them, I always find interesting things about them that urges me to hang onto them. I enjoy listening along with talking.
My Polish Catholic relatives must pray for me so much their legs are forever bent. However as of this writing there are only a couple left who even know me. Wish I could say to them, “Sorry, you couldn’t save me.” But frankly I find people who devoutly follow the words of “men” who invented God and the bible almost amusing. However this does give them something to hope for after they die… or expire, or go to be with their lord. So if that brings them peace, so be it. I believe we need to be the best person we can be because it is the right thing to do.
I wish I had done a better job mothering my children. I love them dearly. I was narrow minded with many of the choices they made. I’m still not sure what I did wrong. Most parents do what they believe is right.
I regret I never had grandchildren. I looked forward to that most of my adult life. I’m guessing my marriage was the reason they didn’t choose to get married. Sigh.
But with all my silly woes, my husband, Don and I traveled extensively (probably because we got along much better away from home), often with our travel/movie friends, Gerry and Madeleine.
We lived a damn good life even counting all the battles it took to get here. So have a party to celebrate my life … or my death. I’ll try to be there with my one martini. ?