Name: H.H. Birkenkamp Funeral Home
Address: Toledo, OH

Miss Houston was very kind to me. She opened up the world of theater and speech to my many classmates and myself.

Betty was one of my favorite teachers and I think of her often.  She was generous and warm-hearted, funny and fun to be with.  I learned so much from her in the classroom and from her example outside of it.  I am so sad today to learn of this loss.  I would be there if I could to honor her memory, but please accept my condolences from Carrollton, Georgia.

My condolences to Betty''s family. She and I are first cousins once removed on her fathers side. We enjoyed several years of correspondence about Houston family history. I will miss her even though we never met face to face.

Carol Griffin, Conway, Arkansas

Some years ago I wrote down a list of the important mentors I've had in my life, and among the very first names on my list was that of Betty Houston.  Betty was my speech and debate coach at Washington Junior High in the early 1960s.  Miss Houston, as we knew her then, had a gift for finding promising students and instilling in them the discipline, skills and passion to discover their public voices.  As a coach, she was deeply committed to her cadre of young speakers.  It was under her guidance and tutelage that our ninth grade debate team became local champions.  Sometimes Miss Houston would conduct intensive practice sessions for speech tournaments at her small apartment in Trilby.  I remember her feeding us Cokes and thin mints, putting us through our paces, and then driving us home in her black sedan on those cold Midwestern evenings.  I'm sure we were a somewhat unruly lot who didn't quite appreciate the commitment to us that this kind, patient, wryly humorous woman demonstrated, but I know she enjoyed our company all the same.  Looking back, the art of communication that Miss Houston helped inspire in me is a gift that has lasted a lifetime – as fundamental and important as anything else I have learned.  More important is the selfless dedication that Betty Houston had for all her young charges.  She was the embodiment of a great teacher.  And I'm quite sure that her teaching – and coaching – gave her a lot of joy.  Thank you, Miss Houston, and Godspeed, Betty.     

– Steven Ames

Betty was my favorite teacher of all time. She was one of the few people who knew that when I was eight, I had lost 75 percent of my hearing. She was my speech teacher who encouraged to try try out for class of 72 senior play. I've never forgotten her. My prayers for her family.Linda Webne-Bradner

In 1960 one of my first travel adventures was shared with Betty Houston. We took an European bus tour 18 countries in 63 days. I am sure half of her big suitcase was full of rolls of camera film. Betty had a good hardy laugh and could see the funny side of things.  Even though I married and moved away from Toledo, we always kept in touch through our Christmas cards and phone calls. Betty you have  left behind many friends and their positive memories. Now it is you,who will be tap dancing in your golden slippers and organizing a heavenly theater event. I will miss you...
Pauline (Parman) Vetter  Fairfax. VA

What a great neighbor Betty was.Such a sweethart of a person.Heaven is an even better place with the addition of her soul.Say hello to Jill for me.I will miss seeing you at the library.

In 1960, one of my first travel adventures was shared with Betty Houston. We took an European bus tour, eighteen countries in sixty three days. I am sure half of her big suitcase was full of rolls of camera film. She had a good hardy laugh and could see the funny side of things.  Even though I married and moved away from Toledo, we always kept in touch  through our Christmas cards and phone calls. Betty,you have left many friends and their positive memories of you. Now it is you, who will be tap dancing in your golden slippers and organizing heavenly theater events.
Good-by Dear Friend
Pauline Parman Vetter  Fairfax, VA

So sorry to hear of Ms. Houston's passing.  She was my drama teacher in High School and gave me my first acting role on stage.  Her encouragement made a huge impact on my life. She will be dearly missed.

Remember Miss Houston well. Happy journeywashington jr 61

Miss Houston (after high school she always told me to call her Betty, but I never really could) was a teacher who made a real positive difference in my life.  Among other things, I was in her Speech class in 9th grade, and then acted in plays under her direction in the Whitmer Summmer Players.  She got me interested in speech, theater, and debate.  In later years my wife and I enjoyed seeing her at church (St. Clement's).  I'm very sorry to see her go, and I send my sympathy and best wishes to her family, including the ones I was delighted to meet at the funeral home tonight. 

Tom Tucker, Temperance, Michigan
Whitmer Class of 1974

Betty was truly a wonderful member of our club.  Everyone that had the pleasure of knowing her knew that she was special. She was a past president and the original teacher of our IYP classes.  She was a true leader and she would always  let you know that she appreciated everything that you may have contributed to the club.  She was not self centered but rather was a very giving and lovely person.  Even though, because of ill health, she was limited to what she could participate in the club,she remained interested in our activities.  It was my honor to have known and worked with this wonderful lady.  She will be so missed.  Good Bye to our dear friend! Wennie Anderson, Secretary of the Photo Arts Club of Toledo

Ms Houston was a wonderful teacher and a inspiration...

Miss Houston was a wonderful teacher and a friend to all her students.  Decanse en paz y vaya con dios. Roberta Shipman, Whitmer '65

Miss Houston was a wonderful teacher who was always there when needed. My prayers go out to her family and friends. Rich Hansen; class of '63.

Betty was one of our favorite customers at the Washington Branch Library. The whole staff is sad to learn that she has passed away. Our thoughts are with her family.

Miss Houston was my Speech teacher, and then our coach, director, and mentor for the Whitmer Summer Players.  There was no play - big or small - that she didn't think we could pull off.  She instilled in all of us a sense of adventure and a love of theatre. It's because of her that a shy, wallflower teenager was able as an adult to address hundreds at a time. And every time I stand before a crowd I think of her.  I have been especially honored to continue to stay in touch with Miss Houston through my parents, Deacon LeRoy and Nadji Houghton, who are also members at St. Clement and friends of Miss Houston's.  We will always cherish her memory.      Whitmer Class of 1972

Betty is my second cousin, and I have very fond memories of her growing up. Her kind and gentle way was always endearing and she was always teaching us something new- sharing with us her love of teaching, her adventures in travel, and her love of photography.  As an adult, we continued to share our mutual love of travel, and I treasure the memory of our visit to Anna Maria Island, Fl where she shared childhood memories and her love of the cozy little beach town.  Betty will be dearly missed.

I have always remembered her as a great teacher who inspired me to enjoy the Spanish language and to be a teacher. My sympathy to her family.

Betty was my 7th and 9th grade Spanish teacher and I thought she was great! She also taught the 1st photography class I ever took.  Out of all the teachers I had, she was one of the few I remember with fondness. My husband worked with her in the Toledo Photo Arts Club and admired her dedication. She will be missed by so many.  Our prayers and condolenses are with your family.
 
Karen and Steve Stalker(Whitmer class of "64"), Toledo, Ohio

Wonderful educator and inspiration for me.  Always had a kind word and offered direction to those in need.  Made me a better person through her example.  Safe travels Ms. Houston
Matt Black

I had Miss Houston for freshman speech class (Whitmer class of 1971); she engendered an interest in theater among many of us and helped us form the Whitmer Summer Players. She was an outstanding teacher and human being who was encouraging and treated students with respect; she saw potential in everyone and helped us see it, too. My condolences to her family and gratitude for the inspiration she was to me and others.

Very sad to learn of Betty's passing. She introduced me to New York City and took me to my first Broadway shows. She loved to travel. She loved the theatre. She loved music. She was a kid at heart. She was the first person I knew who had one of the new electronic game systems that you hooked up to the TV (early 80s). We used to play Pong for hours while listening to music - not to win the game but to see if we could time the bouncing ball to the music. I was honored to be a pall bearer at her mother's funeral. I will miss her a great deal. Bye Betty!

Miss Houston was an important part of my junior high experience! As my Spanish and speech teacher, as well as debate coach, she inspired me to become a Spanish teacher myself and gave me the ability to stand up in front of countless students and speak! My gratitude to Miss Houston and my condolences to her family. Pat (Spencer) Mauer. Whitmer Class of 1967

Miss Houston was our drama and speech teacher!  My husband and I both had her as a teacher!  She was a wonderful friend and mentor!  We are so sorry for your loss!

Greg and Dawn Trumbull
Greg, Whitmer Class of 1979
Dawn, Whitmer Class of 1982

Betty was such a caring person.  She loved to share her passion for the theater and I will always remember our school trip to New York.  My sympathies to her friends and family.
Paula Dey Perone, Class of 83

I have fond memories of Miss Houston from my years at Whitmer.  She taught my speech class when I was a freshman.  Your family is in my thoughts.

Kim Smith DeMarco
Whitmer Class of 1983

I have lovely memories of Miss Houston from high school. She was a wonderful teacher and true lady to look up to. My deepest sympathies to all of her family and friends. - Class of 1969 -

So sad to hear about Betty. She was such a kind and interesting person. Betty was always willing to help others. I enjoyed visiting with Betty when she regularly visited the Washington Branch Library. She shared many stories and lessons learned from her various teaching  experiences. It was a joy to have known her.

My blessings to your family. I was a Thespian student of hers during Whitmer High Dramas.
Gary Dubendorfer

So very sorry for your loss. Jan (Borne) Fate

was one of her students back in the sixties sorry about your loss

I will always have delightful memories of Betty"s volunteer efforts at the Toledo Botanical Garden.  For over a decade she assisted Toledo GROWs every Thursday afternoon.  Betty was appreciated around the botanical garden for her sense of humor (especially puns), her creativity and her work ethic.

My condolences on your loss.

Miss Houston helped me discover my speech and theater interests in the early 70's. Later I was able to share photography techniques with her. She was an important part of my life.

Miss Houston engendered in me a love of speech, Spanish and teaching. I have many happy memories of working with her on my speeches. My sympathies to all who knew her well. JoAnn Snyder, Whitmer Class of '66

Blessings, thoughts and prayers for Miss Houston's family.

Betty, rest in peace...free of your earthly restraints. You will be missed

Our thoughts and prayers are with Miss Houston's family.

Whitmer Class of 1966

Prayers for Mrs. Houston's family. She was my teacher in 1986-87 and a great one at that.

OBITUARY

Betty Houston

16 October, 1931 – 5 October, 2012

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