Edith Bettinger, 88, passed away on July 12, 2013 after a battle with Leukemia. She spent her last six years in-and-around Santa Barbara but most of her story takes place in the Lone Star State.
Edith was born in Jacksboro, Texas in 1924 to Zela Meadows and Hart McClure. After graduating from SMU with a psychology degree she married Dr. Bryce Hughett of Denver, Colorado, with whom she had her only child, Linda. Edith raised her daughter in Dallas until her retirement in Flower Mound, Texas, with her second husband, Bill Bettinger.
Edith was a trailblazer; first as a female computer analyst officer of the Republic National Bank of Dallas (which became Bank of America) and later as a wildflower expert and native plant proponent. She was a charter member of the Native Plant Society of Texas and helped establish native plant chapters in several communities across the state and Sebring, Florida. While living in Kerrville from 1991 to 2007 she helped develop the Riverside Nature Center and founded their Gleaners Group, dedicated to planting, studying and sharing wildflower seeds. After producing a native plant identification library she turned her focus to producing pressed flower art and helping others do the same.
Edith is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Basil Honikman of Santa Barbara and granddaughter, Jackie Honikman of Los Angeles. She especially appreciated her church families at the First Presbyterian Church of Kerrville, First United Methodist of Ventura and St. Mark Methodist of Santa Barbara. Edith’s family are also grateful for the many resources we are blessed to have in the Santa Barbara community including Easy Lift, the Braille Institute, Vista Del Monte Assisted Living, Abundant Care on Auhay Drive, Visiting Nurses and Hospice Services at the Serenity House.
A memorial service will be held at 10am, Saturday, July 20 at the St. Mark Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers Edith would love donations to be made to the Riverside Nature Center of Kerrville or the Stephens Ministries Fund for St. Mark Methodist Church, 3942 La Colina Road, SB, CA 93110.
