Christine Beard’s Memories of Betty
January 24, 2024
My contribution is the sharing of a memory that to me exemplifies the woman who our mother was. It’s the memory of what I think of as the Wonderful/Terrible year; the year I was 15, then 16, and making a valiant attempt at becoming a professional dancer.
Cathie mentioned the drives for her horse activities. I remember that well. It was one of the reasons I chose ballet over horses. Mom didn’t remember it later. But at the time I knew, as children do, that she didn’t want another child (ten years later!) needing that kind of car time. Little did she know …
In 1978, Lisa Austin and I began taking regular lessons in Walnut Creek. And so, driving began. When Lisa went to San Francisco Ballet School that summer, it was just my mom and me. Those days in Walnut Creek have remained for me the most precious.
Then came the San Francisco Ballet School. The drives were shared with the Austin family, but Mom did her fair share. From my now old perspective I try to imagine what it was like for her, to wake in the morning with that schedule looming. She never complained. She took care of her-our beautiful home, her beautiful garden. She took care of herself, maintained her friendships. She took care of Dad, and she took care of Peggy and Cathie in their young adult lives. And she drove … Picking me up from school, she drove to Scenic and Rose, 90 miles to San Francisco, waited for class/rehearsal/performance. Then repeat; for a whole year. She did it with a spirit of adventure, joy, and pride. I never felt like a burden. What better gift for a child?
So that was our mother: strong, loving, generous, family-focused, giving of herself with grace.
Thank you, Mom. Your example lives on in us all.