American Contract Bridge League
Unit 484   District 20

Profile

Bettie Bunocore

(Published March 2004)

Bettie Buonocore recently attended her first meeting as a member of the current Unit Board. She has vowed to help in any way she is able; we will probably see her at the hospitality or partnership desk at our upcoming Sectionals. This is Bettie's second stint as a Unit Board member. In past years, she served twice as president of the Ashland Board.

Bettie was born in Minnesota. She and her three siblings were reared by their single mother—who loved to play games, especially bridge. She begged little Bettie to learn the game. However, Bettie remembers saying, "If I have nothing better to do with my time than play cards with old ladies, I'd sooner die!" She has regretted her words many times.

Bettie began playing bridge in earnest about 20 years ago when she took a class from Isabel Stevenson. Bettie has accumulated over 500 master points and is within two gold points of becoming Life Master. Troy Dean once told her that she has the oldest ACBL number in Jackson County.

Bettie finds great enjoyment in the game of bridge today. She touts the wonderful diversity of people who are drawn to it.

While studying philosophy at the University of California, Berkeley, Bettie met the love of her life, Larry, who was stationed in Oakland. He and Bettie were married in 1943, secretly. Why? Because she'd have to pay out-of-state tuition, which the newlyweds couldn't afford.

The couple was married formally a year later when their first baby was due.

After college and service, the Buonocores moved to Medford, where Larry continued his general practice in medicine. While rearing five children (four girls and one boy), Bettie earned two more degrees at Southern Oregon College, Ashland—a Bachelor of Science and a Masters in Education. She was a substitute teacher for many years in the Rogue Valley high schools. They had been married for 56 years when Larry passed away in 1999.

'The Buonocore family home of 50 years was sold; Bettie relocated. Recently the home, with Bettie's financial support, was dedicated to the treatment of abused girls. It is called the Southern Oregon Child Treatment Center.

Bettie has eleven grandchildren, and great-grandchildren too numerous to count. The family is extremely close, though they are scattered all over the United States; they visit often and travel together occasionally.

Bettie's new challenge is grandmothering her two playful cats, "Female Feline" (Fee mahl ee Fee line ee)—a.k.a. Molly—and "Me, Too." Betty, sighing, says, "There has been more breakage from two cats than from my five children." Nevertheless, she believes everyone should have a pet, and the entertainment and love received from her cats are worth all the broken glass.

Bettie believes that attracting younger players to bridge is difficult. "Bridge is not something you can learn overnight." But she is optimistic about the future of the game in our Valley. "We need to make everyone who sits down at our tables comfortable," she states. She believes that creating smoking areas for the smokers has brought about positive results regarding attendance, as well as the emphasis on politeness and friendliness.

Bettie exemplifies this philosophy in her own demeanor and in service to our bridge organization.

extremely close, though they are scattered all over the United States; they visit often and travel together occasionally.

Bettie's new challenge is grand mothering her two playful cats, "Female Feline" (Fee mahl ee Fee line ee)—a.k.a. Molly—and "Me, Too." Betty, sighing, says, "There has been more breakage from two cats than from my five children." Nevertheless, she believes everyone should have a pet, and the entertainment and love received from her cats are worth all the broken glass.

Bettie believes that attracting younger players to bridge is difficult. "Bridge is not something you can learn overnight." But she is optimistic about the future of the game in our Valley. "We need to make everyone who sits down at our tables comfortable," she states. She believes that creating smoking areas for the smokers has brought about positive results regarding attendance, as well as the emphasis on politeness and friendliness.

Bettie exemplifies this philosophy in her own demeanor and in service to our bridge organization.