Betty Lou (Dixon) Finkelman

She was born in Detroit, Michigan, and moved to Houston from Memphis, Tennessee, in June of 1949. She graduated from John H. Reagan High School in 1952 and went on to attend the University of Houston, College of Nursing, where she was awarded a B.S. degree and R.N. diploma in 1956 and was named Florence Nightingale Nurse of the Year. Betty spent her life in service to others, working as a nurse in area hospitals as well as a school nurse for Houston and Spring Branch Independent School Districts, and was the founding leader of the Medical Careers Club at Spring Woods High School. She was a dedicated member of the College Women’s Club where she was instrumental in the awarding of countless scholarships to high school graduates. She was also a leader and member of both the Retired Nurses Club and the Intercessory Prayer group at Eagle’s Trace Senior Living Community where she lived happily for over a decade prior to her passing. She attended St. Mark’s Methodist Church where she met and married the love of her life, Otis Louis Finkelman. After 18 years of marriage, Otis died in a military airplane accident in 1976. They were members of Terrace United Methodist Church for many years and active in both Boy and Girl Scouts of America. Betty was a world traveler who especially loved her trips to Ireland. She was a talented artist and quilter and loved dogs, games, cooking, sports, and parties. Friends and family describe her as brave, strong, fun, adventurous, generous, funny, and caring. She was a caregiver, a friend, and a loved one – all three to most she knew. She made such a lasting impact on so many lives and will be dearly missed. Her infinite joy, generosity, and passion for Christ will continue among us.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband Otis, brother Daniel J. Dixon, Jr., and mother and father, Lois E. and Daniel J. Dixon, Sr. She is survived by her son Gary Finkelman, daughter Laurie Finkelman Geiger, granddaughter Brooke Finkelman, and countless special family and friends.

The family would like to thank the loving care given by the Cardiology Unit at Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital as well as the outstanding people at Eagle’s Trace, Bayou Vista Continuing Care, and Silverado Hospice.

Friends and family are welcome to attend the graveside service to be held at Woodlawn Cemetery, 1101 Antoine, in Houston on Friday, May 14th, 2021, at 2:00 P.M. A celebration of Betty’s life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, tax-deductible donations can be made to the Eagle’s Trace Benevolent Fund. Please make checks payable to Eagle’s Trace with “Finkelman - Resident Care Fund” on the memo line. Mail your donations to Eagle’s Trace, 14703 Eagle Vista Dr., Houston, TX, 77077, Attention: Resident Care Fund. If you wish to send flowers, those should be directed to Waltrip Funeral Home at 1415 Campbell Rd. in Houston.