Betty Jean Bridenstine was the only child born to Lavelle Speed and Maudy Texarado McKnight. She was born on December 5, 1927 in San Antonio, TX. As a child, Betty was a tomboy, rode horses bareback and was very athletic. After graduating high school, she worked in makeup sales, retail sales, gave dance lessons, taught yoga classes, and worked for Patricia Stevens Modeling School in Ft Worth.
When she was a child her family moved to East Texas then as an adult, Betty moved to Austin. She then spent many years in Briarcliff, TX, and finally settled in Lago Vista, TX. Later in life, she spent a short time in Monterrey, CA living close to the beach. Even though she loved moving and the excitement of exploring new places, her favorite home was in Lago Vista in the condo she shared with her beloved husband and the love of her life, Austin Bridenstine.
Her favorite place was sitting on the patio overlooking the lake, enjoying the sunset with her love, Austin, next to her and her dog, Stoli, in her lap. Betty never knew a stranger. She was very social, threw parties, and gathered with friends often. She was known as a warm, sweet, thoughtful and generous person. She had a smile that would light up a room and beautiful sparkling blue eyes. Everyone that knew her loved her. She was lovingly nicknamed Betty Boop. She called everyone “Darling” and instantly made people feel comfortable around her.
Betty loved gardening and flowers, bird houses, and bird-watching. She collected gnomes, which she proudly displayed in her home. Her favorite colors were blue, green, orange and yellow. Betty was a classy southern belle, always well-polished and ready for any occasion. She loved music and loved to dance. Her favorite types of music were big band and country. Her favorite singers included Harry Belafonte, Glen Miller and Tennessee Ernie Ford. She was a devout Christian, went to church every Sunday at First Church of Christ Scientist, in Austin, TX and then in Denton, TX where she was a member. She was proud to be part of the Daughters of the Confederacy, Daughters of the American Revolution, and was a member of Phi Sigma Alpha as well.
She is preceded in death by her husband Austin Bridenstine who passed on October 4 2008 and her son Kenneth Donald McCaskill who passed on January 24 2002.
She is survived by her daughter, Shirley Jean McCaskill of Frisco, TX; son, Joel Richard McCaskill and wife Martha McCaskill of Jonestown, TX; grandchildren, Donald Kenneth McCaskill of Austin, TX, Arlene Nicole Frosch and husband Jochen Frosch of Little Elm, TX, Matthew Clarence Feinberg of Austin, TX; and great grandson Jack Donald McCaskill of Austin, TX.
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