BETSEY GORDON

FORT WORTH -- Our beautiful Betsey Lee Pheeney Gordon lost her courageous year-long battle with melanoma Sunday, July 4, 2010, surrounded by her loving family. She had celebrated her 50th birthday in April. Memorial service: 1 p.m. Thursday in the small sanctuary at Christ Chapel Bible Church, 3740 Birchman Ave. Family and friends will be received immediately afterwards. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, consideration of contributions to Cancer Care Services, 623 S. Henderson St., Fort Worth, Texas 76104, cancercareservices.org/donations _mem_honor.html, is suggested. Born in Winchester, Mass., on April 28, 1960, Betsey was the fourth child of Lee and Fairlee "Lea" Pheeney. The Pheeneys moved to Dallas in 1969. Betsey graduated from Richardson High School in 1978 and attended the University of Texas in Austin. Betsey worked in commercial real estate in Dallas, where she met and later married Scott Gordon in 1986. The Gordons settled in Van Wert, Ohio, to raise their four beloved children and to open their law firm. In 2006, Betsey and her children relocated to Fort Worth to start a new life. She was so blessed to have met Whitney Hyder More and Martha Hyder of the Hyder Co. As a personal assistant for the Hyders, Betsey was committed to doing her job, even while coping with the side effects of her surgery and various treatments. The family is very appreciative of the Hyders' compassionate understanding as she fought this disease. She will be missed by a host of friends and neighbors both in Van Wert, Ohio, and Fort Worth. Although she didn't move to Fort Worth until 2006, Betsey and her family were adopted by so many wonderful friends. Those same friends rallied around her and the children to provide dinners, carpools and hugs when they were so desperately needed during her long illness. Her fiery red hair and her sweet disposition along with a kind word for everyone will be sorely missed by those who knew her. Betsey's biggest heartbreak was not completing her most cherished role, that of being "mom" and helping all of her children reach adulthood. Of special note is Jim Watson, who worked tirelessly along with his Karen to support Betsey during her battle with cancer. She joined in heaven her father, Lee, and brother, David, to continue to watch over those that they love. Survivors: In addition to her children, Michael, 21, a private first class at Fort Bragg, N.C., Hunter, 17, as well as 14-year-old twins, Rachel and Conner, all of Fort Worth, and their father, Scott Gordon of Van Wert, Ohio, who remained the love of her life, Betsey is left to be eternally mourned by her mother, Lea Pheeney of Houston; sisters and their husbands, Sue and Mitchell McFarland and Jane and Steve Skelton, all of Houston, and Karen and Jim Watson of Fort Worth. Additionally, she leaves behind her mother-in-law, Sandy Gordon of Van Wert, Ohio; and 10 nieces and nephews who adored her. Robertson Mueller Harper Funerals & Cremations 1500 Eighth Ave., 817-924-4233

BETSEY GORDON

April 28, 1960 - July 4, 2010