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Bette Killingsworth Winslow

Bette Killingsworth Winslow

Biography


Bette Killingsworth Winslow, 96, died peacefully in her sleep February 14, 2016, after a long life well lived. Raised in Springfield, Missouri and dancing since the age of 6 she moved to NYC to continue her study of dance and performed with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet, The Vogue Ballet touring troupe, and others. During WWII Bette joined the American Red Cross serving in the South Pacific Theater including New Guinea, Philippines and Korea for two years. Bette married Kenelm Crawford Winslow September 5, 1947 and taught dance in every rural community they lived. Moving to Taos in 1964 she began teaching dance immediately and continued through 2007 reaching 3 generations of children.Bette was preceded by her parents Troy and Winnifred Killingsworth of Springfield, MO and her husband of nearly 54 years. She is survived by her 5 children; Katherine Winslow Pond (Ashley), Jeanette W. Hodgson (Dean), Kenelm K. Winslow (Jane), Elizabeth W. Fruits (Tim), Prisca Winslow and daughter once removed Marcy Piersol, 5 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, in-laws, nieces and nephews.Private burial was held at Santa Fe National Cemetery where she will join her husband Ken. A Gathering/Celebration for Bette's life was held in Taos at a later date. In lieu of flowers Bette and the family would greatly appreciate donations to Taos Youth Ballet Scholarship Fund/memo Bette Winslow 575-770-0189. Arrangements by Rivera Family Funeral Home. This obituary is protected by copyright laws, unauthorized use or duplication is prohibited.

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Family

About

Name Bette Killingsworth Winslow
Date of Death February 14th, 2016
Cemetery

Memorial

Cemetery
Funeral Home Rivera Family Funeral Home
Address 818 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur
Taos NM 87571
United States

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Albert Cota published a tribute .

Dear Prisca and Winslow Family,
My condolences to your family at the passing of your mom. What a gift she was to the community of Taos, what an inspiration to me to finally dance after so many years, and all she shared with our special part of the world.

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Nancy Johnson published a tribute .

You all are in our thoughts and prayers as you adjust to your lives without your Mom, now that she has slipped the bonds of her body. We will always remember her and are so grateful that she touched our lives. Thank you, Bette.
Nancy, Kim & Janaya

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Jackie Tamas published a tribute .

Bette was a Taos treasure and icon. She was a beautiful person, always enjoyable to be with. She lived a long and grand life and I was privileged to share a bit of it. Keep on dancing, Bette!

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Jo Ann Roybal Medina published a tribute .

Dear Winslow family, sending condolences in the loss of your loved one. As a neighbor in Las Colonias you all were a part of our community. May God bring comfort and peace to you all during this difficult time.

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Ruby Martinez published a tribute .

Liz and family; So sorry to hear about the passing of your mom. I never had the pleasure of meeting her, but if she was anything like Liz, she was a wonderful person!

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Maya Cabot-Chacon published a tribute .

Jeanette and family;
My condolences to you and your family. Your mother was an Icon in our community with her generosity, talents and contribution to the youth involved in ballet. May she rest in peace!

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Linda Fischer published a tribute .

What a beautiful soul... such presence... such gentleness ... thank you for blessing all of our lives in the Taos community and giving your gifts.
dance on...

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Inge Frank published a tribute .

Always dancing....

On Valentines day our friend and teacher Bette passed to the other side. She taught countless children and adults here in Taos the art of dance, grace, and discipline at her marvelous studio.
We will never forget the elaborate performances she put on at the TCA and later at the studio.
I remember when she brought pots and pans, as well as cooking utensils from her kitchen to be used as percussion instruments for the children in a performance. Some wore big funnels for hats. How delightful it was.
On an other occasion we had live music when we performed the wondrous fairy tale "Hansel and Gretel" We remember her boundless energy and imagination.
Now an era has come to an end, but we will never forget.

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Jane Winslow published a tribute .

My first BFD with the Winslow

The year was 1978, it was fall and the hills were a riot of color pouring down the rifts and valleys of the nearby mountains. It was also soon after I first met her son, Ken when I was introduced into the family. The occasion was a BFD otherwise known in the clan as a Big Family Dinner. Since we didnt do much of that in my own family it was a real eyeopener.

Boy was I scared. No one had a clue who I was but it didnt seem to matter. So, I relaxed, took several deep breaths, and took stock. A great looking group, I thought, and the body language spoke of affection and happy. It all seemed overwhelming and if I was a little intimidated - after all I was outnumbered about 10 to one - I neednt have been. So in the end I wasnt. Scared. Okay, perhaps a little around the edges.

It soon became evident that Bette and her husband Ken were experts at entertaining, opening their home to complete strangers and exhibiting the art of true generosity. Bette made certain I had a chance to voice my opinions as well. People were naturally curious about who this new person was and she so often was the first one to break the ice and make people feel comfortable. I learned that at the first dinner with the family and would see it time and time again over the course of 36 years. Our BFDs were always punctuated with a no-holds-bared
dialogue and under her careful eye, were always fun and entertaining.

What I took away from that very first dinner was that she certainly had an innate sense of style. Its something you are born with and which Bette had in spades. The simple elegance of a well set table, homey foods always made with love and from scratch. The way she used her long expressive fingers when she made her pretty valentine cookies. The best herb-roasted chicken I have ever eaten. Christmass where a big noisy family would gather by a roaring fire, just to be happy being together. And so many other celebrations now relegated to the foggy past.. At the end of the day Bette

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Jane Flurry published a tribute .

Liz & Prisca

Your mother was a truly great lady, It was a privilege to have known her. Her devotion to dance & to her students was an inspiration to me always, above all the sign on the dressing room door: "NO Whining"

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Irene & Lloyd Duran published a tribute .

To the family of Bette Winslow
Sending you Lots of Love and praying that the dear Lord comfort u today and Always

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Jane Erck Phillips published a tribute .

She was the best. I was so privileged to have had ballet lessons from her. I cherish the memories of those years and the recitals we were in. Rest in peace Mrs. Winslow.

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