Betty Coons Bacskay

Betty was born in Los Angeles, CA, on April 9, 1929, to Blaine L. and Elizabeth Pickens Coons. Her parents loved to socialize and travel, traits they happily passed on to their daughter! The family moved to southern Idaho when she was young, where she became an older sister to her brother Richard.

Always the socialite, Betty was involved in numerous school clubs and organizations, including the high school newspaper, Student Council, FHA, and PEP Club. She even harvested potatoes alongside WWII POWs from Camp Rupert! An avid sports fan, she drove friends to games in her father’s postal service car and continued to love talking sports throughout her life. She was also a graceful skier who loved the slopes at Sun Valley Resort.

Betty refined her beautiful penmanship through letters to Richard while he served overseas. She kept him thoroughly up-to-date, sending so much love through those letters that you can still feel it when you read them today!

Betty attended Idaho State University, majoring in Home Economics. She became the first president of the Iota Alpha chapter of Alpha Omicron Pi, participated in Omecon Club and Delta Epsilon Kappa, and was crowned May Queen! She graduated with honors wearing her own beautifully handsewn, fully lined suit. She was a talented seamstress indeed!

After graduation, Betty taught Home Economics in Idaho and Nevada. One of her favorite classes was a group of local Basque boys whom she taught to cook. While teaching in Elko, NV, she attended a social event with a friend and met her future husband, Jack. They danced the night away! Two years later, they married in Elko, beginning the most beautiful 70-year love story.

Jack’s career with the JCPenney Company took the family from Nevada to Idaho, where they welcomed their children, Cheri and Allen. While Jack worked long hours in retail, Betty managed the home front and enthusiastically supported her children in plays, parades, clubs, and sports. The family later lived in Montana, Washington, and Huntsville, AL, before settling in Birmingham.

Betty and Jack shared a love of travel, visiting family and friends around the world and enjoying many cruises together.

Whether at home or on the road, Betty had a way of always thinking of others, greeting everyone with a smile and a kind word. Her ministry was sending personal notes and cards for just about any occasion. If you received a card from Betty, you know how special it made you feel, especially when she included a newspaper clipping or something that showed just how much she knew and cared about your interests. And for all the “grands” (grandkids, nieces, nephews, and cousins), there was always a crisp $1 bill to brighten every birthday. She never missed a single one!

She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and active in church groups, notably at St. Stephen’s and St. Luke’s Episcopal Churches.

Betty will always be remembered for her gentle humor, mischievous twinkling eyes, and giving heart. She knew how to throw a fantastic party, from planning and cooking to hosting and cleanup. She would “beep-beep” her way through the crowd, checking on everyone with a “yoo-hoo,” never missing a single soul. She’d have your name in her address book before you could blink!

In her own quiet way, Betty taught life’s important lessons, from sewing and cooking to listening with an open heart and making sure everyone felt loved and included.

Fun fact: Betty’s favorite song for many years was “Joy to the World,” and she certainly did her best to bring that joy to everyone she met!

Betty was a remarkable lady, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She is greatly loved and will be dearly missed.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Blaine and Elizabeth Coons, and her brother, Richard Coons. She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Jack Bacskay; daughter, Cheri Bacskay Glor (Steve); son, Allen Bacskay (Elizabeth); grandchildren, Audrey Glor-Michel (Johannes) and Michael Glor (Justin); niece, Kathleen Coons Thorsby (Michael); and cousins, Joyce Coons Fasano Cornyn (John), Linda Coons Smith, and Ronald Coons (Lynn).

The family extends its love and gratitude to the staff at Kirkwood by the River, UAB Support Care and ACG Hospice for their care and dedication.

In honor of Betty’s giving nature, memorial donations may be made to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 3736 Montrose Road, Birmingham, AL 35213, or a charity of your choice.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, November 21, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Visitation begins at 1:00 p.m., followed by the service at 2:00 p.m.

Services are under the direction of Ridout’s Valley Chapel (205-879-3401), Homewood, AL.