Bette Jane Mooney Sample

Bette M. Sample Bette Jane Mooney Sample, our loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, passed away peacefully Thurs., Aug. 14, 2008, at the Saratoga Retirement Community. Her enthusiasm and indomitable spirit—whether designing trips to exotic lands, regaling her granddaughters with stories, arranging flowers for the church altar, or, with her husband, welcoming guests to lavish parties at their beautiful Saratoga home— will thrive in the memories and lives of her family and many dear friends. For 40 years, Bette worked in the travel industry. She planned unique trips and tours around the world, and, with her husband, Buck, visited nearly every country. Always adventurous, Bette loved traveling on cargo and cruise ships, the Orient Express and camel trains. She collected art objects from favorite destinations and started an importing business. She also taught travel career classes at Foothill Community College in Los Altos, CA. Her favorite students were her two granddaughters, whom she regaled with stories of her adventures. Bette was born Oct. 2, 1925, in Rock Spring, Wyo., to Herschel and Jewel Chumbley Mooney. She grew up in Missouri, Oklahoma, and Washington, where she graduated from Whitman College in 1948 with a BA in psychology. With several sorority sisters from Delta Delta Delta, she moved to Honolulu, HA, and worked as assistant personnel director at Bishop Bank. Later, she entered graduate school at Boston University, studying communications and public relations, then worked as assistant personnel director at Lord & Taylor's in New York City. In 1952, she married Malcolm E. "Buck" Sample, a special agent with the FBI, whom she'd met in Honolulu. For 10 years, the couple lived in New Jersey with their two daughters, Susan and Cari, until Buck was transferred to San Francisco. In 1963, they moved to Saratoga, where they made their home for 45 years until last April, when the couple moved to the Saratoga Retirement Center. Bette was a member of the Saratoga Federated Church, where she taught Sunday school, served on boards, and was active in women's fellowship and small group ministries. She also was active in numerous community and service organizations, including Children's Home Society, the Foothill Club, Saratoga Rotary Club's Interwheel, Montalvo Service Group, AAUW, PTA, and Girl Scouts. The family would like to thank the Health Center at the Saratoga Retirement Community for the excellent, compassionate care they provided to Bette. They also extend special appreciation to the extraordinary caregivers from Star Home Care who were constantly at her bedside. Bette is survived by: her husband, Buck; daughters, Susan (Jack Sadinski) and Cari Malver (Greg); granddaughters, Cassie and Molly Sadinski; sisters, Beverlee Erieg and Marilyn Parker; sisters-in-laws, Ruth Felkner and Irene Sample; nieces, nephews, and extended family. Friends are invited to a visitation Sun., Aug. 17, from 4-7 p.m. at the Darling-Fischer Chapel of the Hills, 615 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos. The memorial service will be Mon., Aug. 18, at 1 p.m. at the Saratoga Federated Church with a reception to follow at the Foothill Club. Burial will be at the Madronia Cemetery. Memorials may be made in Bette's honor to the Saratoga Federated Church's Senior Ministry Outreach or to the Lupus Foundation.