Betty Jean Wilson Scamardo, 85, passed away April 11, 2019 in McKinney, TX after a lengthy illness. She was born November 10, 1933 at St. Joseph Hospital Houston to William G. Wilson and Margaret L. McPherson Wilson who preceded her in death.
Betty grew up in the tight knit community of Park Place in southeast Houston. She attended Park Place Elementary School, Deady Middle School and Milby High School with her lifelong friend Howard Callaway. Betty was an accomplished student, active in the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls and active in her Methodist church youth group. During her time at Deady Middle School, she met her dearest girlfriend Virginia Pigue Callaway with whom she shared a lifetime of close friendship and memories. Following high school, Betty and Virginia attended Sam Houston University in Huntsville, Texas where Betty met the love of her life on a blind date. Sam J. Scamardo and Betty were happily married November 20, 1954 at Holy Name Catholic Church in Houston, Texas. Undertaking the life of a career military officer’s wife, Betty travelled all over the United States and to many countries; at times raising their five children single handedly while Sam was stationed overseas. She enjoyed making a home and caring for her family, reading, sewing and shopping. Betty will be sorely missed as the kind and gentle matriarch of her family and the best spaghetti cook ever.
She is survived by her devoted and loving husband of 64 years, Lt. Col (Retired) Sam J. Scamardo and their children, Sue Anne Hill (Gerald), Sherry Scamardo, Sam W. Scamardo (Sharon), Shelly Scamardo (Dave Freeman), Sandra Scamardo and seven grandchildren, James, Tyler, Sterling, Cameron, Spencer, Elora and Zoe of whom she was very proud. Betty is also survived by her cousins, Barbara McPherson Burgess, Sharon McPherson Heitmeier and Larry McPherson of Kansas.
Special thanks are extended to the dedicated staff at Grandbrook Memory Care McKinney, Anchor of Hope Hospice and Monarch Home Healthcare all of whom provided tender and thoughtful care for Betty and her family.
A private family service and burial will be held at Forest Park Cemetery in Houston TX at a future date.
Memorial donations may be made in Betty’s honor to The Fisher House-Helping Military Families.