What do we remember about Inabelle Bonney Bott? Right now, Ina is out on an assignment, as her telephone recorder would say. Everyone here is leaving their messages for her. She would be enjoying the attention she is getting, and as she is looking down from the heavens, she is probably sitting in her wheelchair, at a table with a bowl of Sam's Potato Salad, and Sam's Apple turnovers warming in the oven.

Each person here has their own special memories of Ina, and knew of her love of cards, scrabble, the Pasta Company, Playhouse 1960, and lots of visitors.

Ina was known for her frequent trips around the country and Puerto Rico, her being a movie extra on about a dozen films (remember Ina in "Coen & Tate"?), remember her cable talk show, that turned out to be as much a comedy of errors and was viewed several times over because of Ina's questioning techniques to her guests? (Repeated often thanks to VCR recordings.)

Ina loved her friend Tina, and together they worked on "Starmaker" projects, and later Manny would enter the scene, and the Cafeo's would keep Ina busy with their mutual love of the arts.

Ina was outgoing, always ready for something new and exciting. Ina took a ride on the Goodyear Blimp, set sail on the historic Galveston ship "Ellysa", solo'd around the country to keep up with old Air Force friends, and spent time with her companion of seventeen years, Envy, Envy was her "furry creature", her cat, that was her pampered sleep mate.

Ina was a consummate telephone conversationalist, and could spend hours on the phone with friends. As Ina grew older, she began to shift through old memophilia, and found many old items that had many interesting stories to share with others.

Ina was always on the run. Remember the old blue Plymouth? It saw Ina footpeddling around, daily, to meet her singing group, her Northeast News deadlines, Leader deadlines, attending a Republican Womens' meeting, retired Military officers group, Aldine jet news and so forth. . . Theater Suburbia. You name it.

Ina would find aging not her best and enjoyable assignment. She loved planning her three meal schedule, and loved someone to take her out to eat, or dine with her at home. Ina loved to sprinkle her conversations with stories of her mother and her father, from Cripple Creek, and military life across the country and Japan. She liked going to Doss Community Center, and having luncheons.

Ina would love everyone here making a fuss over her, you know she love attention. She reigns as the queen today, honorary guests. When you go to a play, see a movie, eat a good meal, read a good poem, play a fun game, socialize at a party, fly off on a trip: you'll have a little bit of Inabelle Bonney Bott alongside you.

Ina loved plays, especially if they had Manny and TIna appearing. She loved movies, especially if it was "clean", loved poetry, always loved cards and games, loved parties, and loved trips. Think of Ina when you enjoy yourself, for she always did. Remember Ina as a reindeer one year, in a play? Remember Ina in her good humor, her outgoing personality.

Personally, Ina has been an early mentor to me, while in high school, where we crossed paths as fellow journalists covering Julie Nixon Eisenhower. We talked, or she did, and after a long conversation, realized that we'd crossed paths with mutual family friends, Sharon Pilkenton, over the past couple of years and I was also a classmate of her son, Bruce, at Aldine High School.

As high school graduation came near, Ina got me a job at the Houston Post, where she wrote features. Ina would often reminisce about her dismissal by Mrs. Hobby. Ina wrote a story about an Aldine area family, and in the story the old myth of "Ima Hogg, Youra Hogg, We'rea Hogg" surfaced. Ina wrote it as fact. The aged Miss Ima (Hogg) phoned Oveta Hobby. Mrs. Hobby didn't want features from Ina, because of Ima.

Grid Iron shows at the Press Club were always fun with Ina, and she took on many roles over the years as a ballerina, even! She was the light of the show.

Ina often took me in tow, to hear her many "Assignments". Where as a young reporter, I was in awe at her ease at chit-chat with celebrities. On one occasion at a party we attended with James Drury and Doug McClure, they were challenged by Ina. Could the two lift her up? (Remember Ina was a little heavy in those days.) The "Virginian" said yes and indeed, they lifted Ina up, with a bit of red faces, but they managed it. Ina would take us to gathering where she would have us meet, greet and sometimes eat with people I was in awe of like Connie Stevens, Eileen Fulton, Joseph Cotton, Dean Goss, Gene Simmons, Marvin Zindler, and so on.

Ina always wanted to write a romance story. She started her book. It was her work in progress. Ina once upon a time, talked me into writing with her. It was a romance novel, which we'd co-author. We'd sit over at the Wellman Street house, in the dining room, trying to get our outline and first chapter/draft finished into readable form. It would need lots of polishing, lots of fine tuning--and as a dad by that time, sleeping Terina would be in a makeshift crib, fashioned out of a dresser drawer, contently snoozing while Ina & I wrote and talked. Mostly talked. And, of course, eat.

Ina loved to write reviews for places that had food, and we'd both meet at all hours of the day and night to review IHOPs, Champs, Dennys. She loved it. 10 pm, 2 am, 4 am, 8am, noon. It didn't matter.

We'd party at Los Trancos de los Treehouse, run down to Galveston to spend the night, attend a political party gathering. There wasn't anything Ina wouldn't say no to. We'd spend Friday at Clear Lake, making a day of doctor visits and eating lunch and dinner out. Ina loved the Golden Corral, loved Chinese, especially egg rolls, and enjoyed swimming. Swimming was a favorite of Ina's--and as her physical condition worsened--she missed this old past time.

Ina loved to visit, and she made two trips to our family in New York, where we enjoyed trips around upstate New York and Canada. Ina was not afraid to board the plane, and jet off to seek a new "assignment."

"This is Ina Bott, I'm out on an assignment, leave a message, and IÕll be happy to return your call."

Ina has checked out her last assignment earthbound. Ina has a new assignment: she will be back in her reporter prime, socializing and inquiring, trying to pry a story out of St. Peter, a request for special seating for the next heavenly production of "Nunsense," and trying to find a good spot to complete her unfinished romance novel, on her antique computer.

How do you remember Ina? Whether you are Bonney, Bruce or John, Richard, Page or Debbie, grandchild or friend, you'll always remember Ina. Ina will always be a part of your memories, and you can take these memories with you along in life. Ina no longer has to fret over her Lasic medicine, her "June Allysons" (Depends) or looking for the closest bathroom.

Ina. Have fun on your heavenly assignments. Remember to tune in "The Young and the Restless," "Regis without Kathy Lee," and look to see what channel "Lifetime" is on. Have fun on your assignments. We'll all miss you.