Betty Irene Brown was born at home, in Detroit, Michigan on Saturday December 19, 1936 to Harry Jay Brown and Katherine Ursula (Watson) Brown during the Great Depression of the 1930’s. Of Irish descent, both parents were second generation Americans whose families had immigrated from the late 1800’s County Cork Ireland, and travelled across Eastern Canada to start a new life in an exciting new prosperous Detroit to make for a better life.
The tenth of 11 children (eight surviving at birth), home life was never easy for Betty. A childhood that was described to reflect a struggling family lifestyle that was supported only by her father’s working class earnings as a Detroit Streetcar (and later a new city bus system) Conductor. Interestingly, her childhood home was ‘down the street’ to what would one day be the source of all that Motown Music that you and I hear, wherever we go today; Berry Gordy’s Studio on West Grand Boulevard.
With the new Eisenhower Interstate System surfacing all over of the nation including in Betty’s Detroit neighborhood, her family moved from Corktown Detroit to the new suburb of Taylor, for her final childhood years. With a ‘stubborn Irish’ upbring, ready and a stubborn determination to move ahead in life, Betty married at an early age, in what would last for about five years. At age 20, Paul was born and a few years later she was a single parent alone in a working-class Downriver Detroit community, Lincoln Park.
In latter 1964, Betty met through mutual friends, the forever love of her life David L. Bryan, a recently widowed father of two young children (Gwendolyn Lois and Keith William). Dave and Betty Bryan were married on June 5, 1965 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Allen Park, Michigan, and new life began for this ‘Brady Bunch’ style family in their new home in Romulus, Michigan. By the end of the 1968, Jacalyn Kaye and Lisa Renee’ had arrived to complete the Family Home of Dave and Betty Bryan. During her working years, she worked in a dental office and for a publishing company (as a copy press proof reader).
By 1997, after the passing of beloved family members, including Gwen (at age 36), Betty and Dave had their retirement dream home built in Citrus Hills in Citrus County, Florida. Betty was very active entertaining friends and family from all over the country and as well as in her Beloved home parish of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, Inverness, Florida (including Cursillo and Daughters of the King). During this chapter in life, they enjoyed retirement from ‘the bucket list’, including travelling by plane, train, ship or roadway to include places in Europe, England, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, the Australian Continent, Canada and all regions of the US; especially Texas their ‘second home’. Attending worship services at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, and at the Washington National Cathedral were special moments. Betty and Dave Bryan celebrated their Golden 50th Wedding Anniversary at Katy’s Landry’s Seafood Restaurant followed by a bucket list Amtrak rail trip to Hollywood, California. Known always for her clever sharp wit, an extraordinary memory for past events of family and friends, love of games and of game shows (especially Jeopardy!). Mealtime with Dad’s cooking topped the charts of quality family time.
Betty and Dave made Katy, Texas their final home in 2017 (he passed in December) to be near family.
Since 2012, Betty has been treated for a form of leukemia through MD Anderson Cancer Center. Betty was a cancer survivor for 12 years, courageous to her last day.
Betty has been Blessed with great friendships with those that she has ‘shared the road with’ over years, especially the wonderful friends (and staff) at Legacy at Falcon Point Assisted Living! Betty was a generous lady to all that knew her: “Betty is such a nice person. I REALLY like her, OR I loved her faith, it was so strong,” (with fondness).

Betty Irene has been preceded in death by her lifelong friend, companion and husband David, parents Harry and Katherine and daughter Gwen. She is survived by sons Paul (Annie) and Keith (Sandy), and daughters Jacki Wright and Lisa (Larry) Nastal. Also by, grandchildren Thomas, Daniel (Megan), Claire (Steve), Monique, Nathan, Lawrence, Zachary (Emily) and Andrew. Finally, by great grandchildren Brooklyn, Ainsley, Aiden, Noah, Bentley, Archer, Benjamin, Jacob and Abigail Claire.
A Celebration of Life service honoring the life of Betty Irene Bryan will occur at the Legacy at Falcon Point Chapel, 1520 Katy Gap Road, Katy, Texas on Monday, February 26 at 1PM, followed by a Reception. All are welcome to join this remembrance occasion.
Final burial, the scattering of ashes of David Lawrence and Betty Irene Bryan joined together, will be in the Gulf of Mexico. This will occur at a later date.
The Reverend Mark Wilkinson, Rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Katy, Texas will officiate the memorial service. Vestrywoman and Lay Eucharistic Minister Andrea Smith will assist.
In Betty’s memory donations may be made to the MD Anderson Cancer Center or for Cursillo Scholarships at the Episcopal Church Diocese of Texas.

To express condolences, please visit www.SchmidtFuneralHome.net Funeral services held under the direction of Schmidt Funeral Home 1344 W. Grand Parkway South ~ Katy, Texas 77494 ~ (281) 391-2424