Oh Betty

We've had many a fun time through the past 23 years with our friends the McKims - including last weekend. They rode with us to Osage Beach as all of us had to work through Thursday morning and the rest of the kids were able to leave before that. I met Diana as I did many of my Creston friends thanks to sorority.

When I first went to ISU I went out for rush - to get into a sorority like my mom and my sister Cindy had. But the greek system at Iowa State was huge back then and I didn't cut it - bounced for not being cool enough. It was very traumatic - until I met Vicki the first week of school and moved on.

So it was surprising that another sorority - for grown women - helped us meet so many people when we were new to Creston. Sharon Higgins, Bobbie McFee and Diana McKim were just a few of the soon to be great friends that I met in 1987. Sorority involved not only meetings with just the chicks - we also had social events, when our husbands were allowed to take part. Hayrides, traveling dinners, card parties - and more.

McFees and McKims had children our children's ages - so we ended up carpooling for pre-school together. And so it went, soccer teams and other activities our lives have been intertwined. Another great unifier with the McKims is the fact that they are huge Cyclone fans! A lonely place to be during the 15 years straight when the Hawkeyes were kicking our asses.

We've shared joys through the years- Creston Panthers state basketball victory in 1997! Finally beating Iowa - was it later that same year in football. McKims have been with us through some of our sad time - when Patrick and our parents died they cried with us.

Through the years we've gotten to know their parents - at graduations and family events. And lately they've even gotten to know us - they come to tailgate at ISU games. Last year at the ISU Bowl Game in Tempe, Diana and Don's parents came up from their winter homes just south of there to attend the game with us.

Diana's Mom Betty is such a warm person - she hated to see me so nervous at the end of the ISU/Minnesota game - when the Cyclone were in danger of losing. I put my face in my lap - afraid to watch. Betty was behind me - patting my back "it be okay" she said in her lilted Italian accent. Jim, D's father had met her after the war in Italy and married her.

Yesterday I learned that Betty was killed in a car accident. I am so very sad. Even though Betty was getting on in years, a tragic death for all. We're all hurting for the Brown/McKim family.

Source: http://lgoldcommuter.blogspot.com/2010/08/oh-betty.html