BETTIE BUSHONG
05/05/1936 - 07/18/2023
Bettie Bushong baked the best chocolate chip cookies…the kind of cookies that grandchildren constantly requested then devoured in hours! On Tuesday, July 18,2023, Bettie Stephens Bushong, age 87, passed away peacefully at her home in Houston, TX.
Bettie was born in New Orleans, LA. on May 5, 1936 to Malcolm Ross and Mildred Burke Stephens. Following graduation in 1954 from Bethesda Chevy Chase High School in Bethesda, MD., Bettie studied Elementary Education at The University of Maryland, graduating in 1958. While at university, Bettie fell in love with Stewart Bushong, and they married in August 1958. They went on to raise three children, many dogs and one cat.
A devout Episcopalian, she lived by the motto, “Serve God and Be Cheerful.” Bettie was a long-term breast cancer survivor, and for almost 20 years she served as Volunteer Coordinator at the Houston Ronald McDonald House, sharing her experience and hope with resident families. An unequivocal hostess, Bettie’s home was open to all, whether for a quick snack, a hot meal, or a place to stay for weeks or months. She enjoyed her friends of Delta Gamma, PEO International, and a non-card-playing bridge club. For more than 55 years, Bettie made treasured memories with their beloved Timely Topics dinner group friends. She was also pleased to be a lifelong member of The Grammar Police and The Etiquette Patrol.
Together with Stewart, Bettie collected and maintained friendships around the world in the way others collect mementos. This wide network of friends was evidenced by an astonishing thirty-six wedding invitations received in one calendar year! Her family also has fond memories of a few of Bettie’s favorite sayings, including, “Don’t borrow trouble,” “He who hoots with the evening owls can’t soar with the morning eagles,” and her daughter’s favorite, “Is THAT what you’re wearing?”
Known to most as “BB,” she is survived by her husband of 64 years, Stewart Bushong, sister Virginia Chase of Portland, OR., daughter Leslie Bushong Miller (Jim,) son Steve Bushong (Laura,) son Andrew Bushong (Dana,) seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Services will be held on Saturday, September 16th at 10:00 am at St. Peter’s of The Valley Episcopal Church, 200 Elk Run Drive, Basalt, CO., 81621 and at 11:00 am on October 13th at the Eagle’s Trace Life Enrichment Center, 14703 Eagle Vista Drive, Houston, TX. 77077. In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to the Memorial Fund of St. Peter’s of the Valley Episcopal Church.