Bettina Ward Healey

1953 - 2014

DENISON - Bettina Ward Healey, a former resident of Denison, Texas, age 60, passed away April 16, 2014 at the Rowan's Hospice, Purbrook, Hampshire, United Kingdom.

She was born December 19, 1953 to Stan & Pat Ward of Denison, Texas. At three years of age, she was selected to be the mascot for the Denison Yellow Jackets Football Team. She was an honor graduate of Denison High School and a holder of a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Baylor University. In addition to practicing her nursing skills, she served as a clinical instructor in various medical disciplines at several Dallas hospitals, including Southwestern Medical School, Dallas.

Seeking to expand her medical expertise, she moved to Edinburgh, Scotland, initially to experience the UK National Health Service at first hand and subsequently to earn yet another certification as a midwife, delivering over two thousand infants in her career.

While in Scotland, she met the love of her life, Richard Healey. They married on July 10th 1982 and were blessed with two children, Kathryn and Christopher.

Although she was an author of several medical publications, she was most proud of Danny's Story, a coloring book designed to help children prepare for cardiac surgery. In later years, she began combining her medical and artistic skills with her work in life coaching, conducting workshops as well as individual counseling.

A devout Christian, Bettina's love for her Lord was most evident in her art work. An honor graduate of Edinburgh College of Art, her works have graced the walls of churches, offices, and exhibit halls in England, Scotland, and America.

Bettina was a Renaissance woman, not afraid to dream. Her energies seldom focused on one discipline. Medicine, art, music, and life itself were all raw materials for expressing herself and sharing her joy of living and serving God. All of these skills and experiences have woven a life- fabric of faith, enthusiasm, and passion that has enriched and encouraged countless others to live the abundant life and boldly pursue their own dreams.

Bettina was preceded in death by her mother, Patricia Simpson Ward, and is survived by her father, Stan Ward, her brothers, David and Dexter Ward, her husband, Richard Healey, and her children, Kathryn and Christopher Healey.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, May 10 at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Denison, Texas, 601 W Woodard, Denison.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made payable to First Baptist Church, Denison, TX 75020 for the benefit of Rowan's Hospice.