Betty Lou Brewster Alagna

Betty Lou Brewster Alagna passed away peacefully at home on June 23rd, 2019, with loving family by her side.  Betty was a remarkable inspiring woman with a smile that was a gift to receive and made all heads turn when she entered the room.  She was a wonderful model of a courageous woman with a positive outlook.

Betty was born on July 29th, 1927, at St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri.  She was the daughter of Geraldine Craddock and Philip Sloan Brewster, a direct descendent of William Brewster of the Mayflower.  She was the granddaughter of preeminent Kansas City lawyer Reginald Raymond Brewster, known as R.R., who defended Thomas J. Pendergast.  She grew up on an old family farm in rural southern Johnson County near Mission Road.  The hobby farm was known for horse training, tennis, and had a fabulous home build by her grandfather and perfect for the family's frequent entertainment. Betty was raised lavishly as a city girl with servants and a nanny, who later attended Betty's 80th birthday party!  She attended Border Star, Prairie School, and the original Shawnee Mission High School, now North, where she met her beloved husband of 57 years, Vincent Joseph Alagna.

Betty and Joe married on June 24th, 1944, and Joe left immediately for the Marines.  He courageously fought in World War II, including the battle for Okinawa, and in Korea.  Son Vincent Joseph Alagna, Jr. was born a year later, soon followed by son Dana Frank, and daughter Leslie Diane. Several years after the war the family moved to Oklahoma to farm and ranch, settling by Ponca City near Joe's Italian cousins, who were also Native Americans in the Ponca Tribe.  They were embraced by the Ponca relatives, the family attended many Pow-Wows and family feasts, and the Indians gave Betty an Indian name, Mishtaywe, which means Sunshine! Joe and Dana played cowboys and Indians on horseback and the Indian cousins, were the cowboys!  The family endured the 1950's drastic drought, which wreaked havoc on their ranch.  Betty left her privileged upbringing behind and immersed herself in the rough massive mid-day meals for the hired hands and harvesters.  She was also busy raising her children, which now included daughter Deborah Sue.  Family tales include her shooting snakes out of trees and barrel racing at the Fairfax Rodeo!

The family returned to Kansas settling near Paola, operating a dairy farm. They soon welcomed their youngest daughter, Teresa Lou.  The family moved to Overland Park in 1964 and blue-eyed blonde Betty lived the rest of her life in the family home.  She still enjoyed regular dinners and social events with her long time friends from high school!

Betty was devoted to her family!  An excellent cook, she delighted in creating original recipes and hosting large family dinners of multiple courses.  Her cooking included no measurements, just a pinch of this and a hint of that.  The family treasures the recipes for her famous rolls, luscious brownies, and delicious baked beans, which she brought to every family gathering.  Her grandchildren all remember Mamaw cookies in her special cookie jar!

Betty was a truly unique amazing woman!  Her children describe her as regal, with the wisdom of a sage, and a lady of courage who could face any challenge.  When asked for favorite memories of their Mamaw, the grandchildren relate stories of her as an awesome cook and remember cooking fresh caught fish, baking cookies, drinking grape soda and then denying it despite the purple mustaches, and her applause and laughter at all their activities.  She is described as an independent, confident woman unconcerned with other's expectations.  A true matriarch, she was the Queen of the family and was loving, vivacious, exuberant, an intelligent woman who loved life and was always, smiling, never complaining!  She was the first one to the side of sick or troubled relatives and friends, special dish in hand.  She never forgot a birthday in her large family and her cards with notes and letters are treasured.  There was lots of laughter and she always had a good story.  An avid reader, she also enjoyed sharing her books and coming home with a stack of Betty Books was a fun treat.  She attended every in town family event, recital, and play and traveled for family graduations and weddings.  She will be deeply missed.

Wearing her beautiful smile, Betty faced life's difficulties with courage and strength.  She gracefully survived the loss of her dear beloved husband Joe in 2001.  She had previously lost her brother Phillip Sloan Brewster Jr., known as Bud, and her actress sister Diane Lee Brewster Walker.  She also suffered losing her brilliant great-grandson Hunter Sterling Entwistle and her loved daughter in law, Peggy Alagna.

Betty is survived by her five children, Joe Jr. and Judy Pinneo, Dana and wife Mary Ellen, Leslie McDonald and Gilbert Salazar, Deborah Alagna, and Teresa Alagna.  She also leaves her ten grandchildren: Douglas Alagna and wife Tracy, Phillip McDonald and Kandice Kosier, Dena Alagna Thompson and husband John, Alisha McDonald, Emma Sterling Entwistle and husband, Dan, Jennifer Alagna Prescott and husband Mark, Michael Anthony Alagna or Tony, Nicholas Alagna and wife Kelly, Sholah Abass, and Satar Abass.  Additionally, she is survived by her fourteen great grandchildren: Krystal, Johnny, and Joe Thompson, Brenna Alagna, Chase and Lila Entwistle, Kayla and Brendan McDonald, Cole McDonald, Caden and Holland Prescott, and Roman and Nickson Alagna.  She also leaves behind one great great grandchild, Hailey Thompson, daughter of Krystal. The pallbearers are her grandsons, Doug, Phil, Tony, Nick and Satar. Great grandsons, Johnny, Joe and Chase.

A visitation will be held on Friday, June 28th from 6- 8 p.m. at Amos Family Funeral Home. A funeral service will take place Saturday, June 29th at 10 a.m. at Amos Family Funeral Home.

Memorial donations may be made to Catholic Charities Northeast Kansas City, 9720 W. 87th St., Overland Park, KS 66212.