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Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009

City leaders mourn the death of 'Mrs. Modesto,' Bette Belle Smith

Longtime civic benefactor dies at 88

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As a teenager, Bette Belle Smith taught dance to disabled children in her family's Modesto home.

As a young woman, she worked with the Red Cross and coordinated entertainment for wounded soldiers.

As an adult, her contributions to the Modesto community were too many to count: McHenry Museum Guild, Modesto Symphony board of directors, the Gallo Center board of trustees, Modesto Junior College foundation board, Omega Nu, The Salvation Army, International Festival, Inter-Faith Ministries ... the list goes on.

Smith, known to many as "Mrs. Modesto," died Sunday night. She was 88.

"It's a heartbreaking loss," said Kenni Friedman, one of Smith's closest friends and a former member of the Modesto City Council. "There's hardly an organization in town that she has not been a champion for. "

Modesto Mayor Jim Ridenour recalled Smith's selfless dedication to the city.

"She was one of the few Modesto residents who could be called a Mr. Modesto or a Mrs. Modesto because of her tireless efforts on behalf of the city," Ridenour said. "She did everything for our city. She didn't do anything for herself."

Ridenour, who is 69, also admired Smith's capacity for volunteerism.

"She was just one of those ladies who seemed to be involved in a whole lot of things doing a lot of good for a whole lot of people," he said. "She had more energy than I have. She was everywhere. She was always there to help anyone who needed help. She will really be missed by me and the whole community."

Marie Gallo, another longtime friend, said, "Bette Belle was loved and admired ... not only by me but my whole family and the whole community. Everyone loved her as a person. Her generous spirit encouraged everyone to do more for the community. She certainly inspired me."

Born on Magnolia Avenue

Bette Belle was born at her family's Magnolia Avenue home in Modesto on Jan. 17, 1921, the youngest of Jim and Maysel Anderson's four children. The Smiths still live in the neighborhood, about four blocks from Bette Belle's earliest home.

Her family owned Anderson's Garage, first on Ninth Street, then on 11th and M streets in downtown Modesto.

When Smith was born, she was severely pigeon-toed. At the time, there were no braces, surgeries or sophisticated therapies. The doctor's advice? Take ballet lessons. Dancing, he said, would force her feet to turn outward.

Because there were no dance teachers in Modesto in those days, her mother took her to San Francisco for lessons every other Saturday. Her father installed a barre in the family's living room so she could practice.

One day, Smith invited a girl with a broken leg to come over to her house and practice ballet. The word got out, and other children with physical impairments asked to practice with her as well. This was the start of Smith's dancing school. She was in junior high at the time.

With nearly 100 students at one point, the endeavor outgrew her home. Rehearsals were held at the Elks Hall and Odd Fellows Hall, among other places. Recitals were at Modesto High School, sometimes to the accompaniment of a small orchestra, organized by her brother, Dick, a pupil of "Proof" Frank Mancini, Modesto's legendary band leader.

Her love of the performing arts endured. She was an active member of the Modesto Symphony since it began some 70 years ago.

She also was a force behind bringing the Gallo Center of the Arts to Modesto.

"When the decision was made to go forward on the Gallo (about a decade ago), she was one of the key players in making this project a reality," said Ron Emerzian, chairman of the board of directors of the Gallo Center.