Betty Jean Dondlinger

December 21, 2017

Betty Jean Daniel Dondlinger passed away peacefully on December 21, 2017, two days shy of her 86th birthday. She was born in Mission, Texas, the eighth of nine children and once wrote “the very best thing my parents did for me was giving me my wonderful brothers and sisters.” Betty Jean was a proud graduate of Mission High School, remaining lifetime friends with many of her classmates. Betty Jean graduated from Texas Christian University, earning a degree in elementary education and taught kindergarten and first grade for over ten years, later assisting her husband in his businesses after they returned to the valley in 1956. After her children were older she embarked on what would become an almost 28 year career in fashion, establishing a partnership with dear friend Judy Bland representing the Carlisle Collection, offering designer clothing to local women. Betty Jean had an eye for color, fashion and style and loved helping women put together the perfect outfit. Through Carlisle she made many wonderful new friends, both locally and across the country. In a high school memory book, as a senior she listed “all my dates with Billy” as “Super Dates.” So some were not surprised when Betty Jean married W. S. “Bill” Dondlinger, her high school sweetheart, in 1953. They were married for 59 years prior to his death and enjoyed many activities including cooking together, entertaining, traveling and their condo at the beach. Together they raised three children and she was active in all their activities, including serving in various roles in PTA, Booster clubs, and as both a Girl Scout leader and Cub Scout Den mother, further proving she had the patience of Job. She served on the boards of the Canterbury Middle School, Hidalgo County Cotillion Club, and Tip of Texas Girl Scout Council. BJ was also active in the Mission Junior Service League, Mission Study Club and Friends of the Library. She was a member of PEO, Chapter GH and treasured her sisters and the friendships she made in PEO. Betty Jean’s life revolved around her family and friends. She adored spending time with her children, but especially with her three precious grandchildren. The Dondlinger home was always open and guests could count on a gracious welcome, good food and good stories. Besides her husband, children and grandchildren, her eight siblings and their families were always on her mind and in her heart. She loved any opportunity for the Daniel family to gather, share food and stories but also enjoyed a good phone visit with her brothers and sisters. Betty Jean loved to spend time with her friends catching up on their lives and families and enjoyed entertaining them in her home. There was always great food and a beautiful table to welcome guests. She often thought of friends in need with an encouraging phone call or visit, and often cooked goodies or meals for sick and grieving friends. More than one person has said Betty Jean was the kind of friend everyone wants to have! She is predeceased by her husband, W. S. Dondlinger, and her parents Robert T. (“Bob”) Daniel and Alfreda (”Freda”) Borchers Daniel. She was also predeceased by siblings and their spouses: Bernice and Sidney R. Daniel, Margurite and Winston Jenkins, Doris and Guy S. Daniel, Mary and Cicero H. Daniel, Mae and Jack E. Jones, Roberta “Birdie” Daniel, and Dorothy Ann Daniel McAfee, sister-in-law Sylvia Dean Daniel as well as niece Mary Janet McAfee, nephew Robert V. McAfee, Jr., nephew Robert Sidney Daniel, and grandnephew Craig Kelly. Betty Jean is survived by daughter, Melinda and her husband, Ruben Bosquez of McAllen; son, Richard Dondlinger of McAllen; and son, Paul Dondlinger and his wife, Dr. Tarsy Dondlinger of Houston; and brother, Robert T. Daniel, Jr. and his wife, Paula of Houston. She is also survived by grandchildren, Dr. Martha Adele Bosquez and her wife Erin Elizabeth Henry, Rebecca Ann Dondlinger and William Thomas Dondlinger. Betty Jean is also survived by nieces and nephews; Jane Jenkins Crump, Ann Jenkins Hetrick, Gary S. Daniel, Dinah Daniel Richard, Curt D. Daniel, William H. Daniel, Dr. Charles P. Daniel, James R. Daniel, Debbie Jones Warrick, Robin Jones Kelly, Patti McAfee Ezell, Melissa McAfee Pina, Steve Daniel, Bart Daniel, Brian Daniel; their spouses and families; several cousins; and many treasured friends. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Betty Jean’s surviving Daniel nephews. The family wishes to thank Juanita and Tencha who have been devoted, loving and patient caregivers to Betty Jean and all our family. We would like to thank the incredible administration and staff of Waterford Gardens, who lovingly and patiently cared for our mother for the last five years as well as our father before. We are grateful to the administration and staff of Gracia Hospice who provided loving care for mother for the last five years as well as our father before. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to C.A.M.P. University, P. O. Box 2294, McAllen, TX 78502 or www.campuniversity.org, to the Darrell K Royal Research Fund for Alzheimer’s Disease, P. O. Box 5839, Austin TX 78763, http://dkrfund.org or the charity of your choice. Visitation will be held at Kreidler Funeral Home in McAllen on Thursday, December 28, 2017 from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. A graveside committal service will be held Friday, December 29, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Laurel Hill cemetery in Mission, Texas with Walter James Buzzini, IV officiating.