Betty Jean Newman Martino , matriarch of the Martino family, avid keeper of her faith and revered mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away in her home early on Monday morning, August 27, 2007. She had been ill with pancreatic cancer, which had been discovered only two months previously.

Betty was born in Sherman, T exas X on January 12 ^th , 1929 to Rowe and Samye Newman. She attended Texas Woman's University and then transferred to the University of Texas. In Austin she pledged to the Chi Omega Sorority and in 1949 acted as house manager. Later that year, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and married the late Frank Nilson Martino on July 23 ^rd .

In service to her community, she served as the President of the Chi Omega Alumni Association for Denton County, 1961; President of the Petal Pusher Garden Club, 1962; President of the Garden Club Council of Denton, 1964; President of Republican Women, 1965; Vice Chairman of the Denton County Republican Party, 1966; County Chairman for George Bush for Congress, 1967 ; and , p P resident of the Denton Benefit League in 1987. During these years, she also served several times as PTA P p resident at both the elementary and junior high levels and as Cub Scout D d en L l eader for three of her boys.

While the service Betty and her husband had given to this point was noteworthy, on December 7 ^th , 1967, they made a decision that would change their lives forever. They converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From that time to the end of her life, Betty remained a devoted, stalwart woman of whom the title 'saint' is aptly descript. She served in the church at both the local and regional levels as President of the Young Women's organization (for youth 12-18) and of the Relief Society, the women's organization in the church (for all women 18 and older). She taught 8 years of early morning seminary to high school students, and served as a local and regional missionary for the church. In 1985, she volunteered her time at the Dallas Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she served in various capacities, until she and Frank were called to be the temple's President and Matron, from 2000-01. In 2005, they served a full time mission for the church in Nauvoo, IL, which they enjoyed immensely.

For all of the service that she might be recognized for, she would cite her greatest happiness as her God and her family. In life, she was surrounded by her five sons and their families. This entire group gathered at least once a month in her home for a family dinner and to celebrate the holidays and birthdays of that month. These were jovial, noisy affairs that all eagerly awaited.

Her house was an open door for her 26 grandchildren to come in, visit, and 'have a snack.' They affectionately call her Meme. For many years, she hosted summer plays, in which she was the producer, choreographer, writer, and director of a dozen or more productions, cast almost exclusively with her grandchildren. Recently, her 17 great-grandchildren had been added to this tradition.

Truly, she was an elect lady whose life was filled with virtue. She valued education, modesty, and refinement. She spoke gently but never equivocated from principles of righteousness and or her integrity. She was an open, inviting woman, ready to make friends with anyone, and making everyone feel at home. One of her sons expressed the feelings of them all when he said, "I don't know what I could have possibly done to be so lucky to be born into her family."

Meme is survived by her four sons, James Boyd Martino, David Carlton Martino, Frank Nilson "Trey" Martino, Jr., Richard Douglas Martino, and her foster children Jerry Coslett, and Kim Suddath Coslett. Each of her children and their spouses took turns being with her night and day while the illness took its course, and all were present when she passed.