Betty Villian Brinker

Betty Brinker, age 68, passed away on Monday, October 17, 2022, in San Antonio, Texas. She was born on July 29, 1954 in Huntington Park, CA to Charles and Ann Brinker. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Ann; sisters, Carol and Dorothy; and brother, Joey. Betty is survived by her son, Bryan Vehle; daughter and son-in-law, Andrea and David Hooker; her brother, John Cervinski; sister, Zanovia Hische; several cousins, nieces and nephews in CA and TN; and many friends.

Betty grew up in Cypress, CA as a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) who, along with her siblings would act as the family interpreter for her deaf parents. She was a Girl Scout, loved the beach and had a job at Knott’s Berry Farm waiting tables as a teen. She went to Western High School in Anaheim, although most days you were more likely to find her at the beach instead.

Anyone who knew Betty well, will remember her love for celebrities. You may have gotten a call from her filling you in on “Tom, Nicole, and Bruce” leaving out last names as if they were old friends. She adored Princess Diana, making her dad wake up in the middle of the night to watch the Royal Wedding.

Betty married, had 2 kids and in 1980, moved to San Antonio, TX. She used her interpreting skills to serve the deaf community for the next 2 decades that included teaching independent living skills, educational interpreting, employment skills training, medical interpreting and so on. She loved dogs, loved anything homemade and handmade, and was a great cook and baker. She believed it was better to laugh about things than cry about them, which no doubt coincided with her morbid sense of humor. For those closest to her, life won’t quite be the same without her.

In lieu of flowers, please go create a great, new memory with the people you love and care about the most.