Dec. 15--She escaped the Islamic extremism of Iran almost three decades ago and spent much of her life bringing joy to family and friends, mourners recalled.
At a morning Mass at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Rancho Cucamonga on Monday, her loved ones described Bennetta Bet-Badal as someone who "made us all laugh" and who would forever be remembered for her glowing spirit and humility.
Bet-Badal was 46 and an active member of the Assyrian American Assn. of Southern California, when she and 13 others were killed in a terror attack at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino.
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For the Record
December 14, 7:07 p.m.: An earlier version of this article misspelled the name of Bennetta Bet-Badal as Benneta Betbadal. It also incorrectly stated that she and 14 others were killed in a terror attack. It should have said she and 13 others.
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"This evil act" shall serve as a reminder that there are "uncertainties" in life, the Rev. Father Samuel Dinkha told parishioners. "I pray that what happened will awaken the conscience of politicians" so they will "take care of people entrusted to them," he said.
Bet-Badal migrated to the United States with her parents in 1987 and was raised in a tradition of honesty and generosity, friends and family said. Even on the day she died, Bet-Badal arrived at a gathering of fellow San Bernardino County health inspectors with an armload of gifts.
Corwin Porter, San Bernardino County's assistant director of public health, noted that while few businesses are excited to see the arrival of a health inspector on their property, Bet-Badal inspired a very different response.
"She was able to win all their hearts," Porter said.
When not working as a health inspector, the Rialto resident often drove her children to far-off meetings with the Assyrian Boy Scouts and also enjoyed dancing and shopping, friends and family said.
In her eulogy, cousin-in-law Domarina Awdow described "Aunt Bennetta" as an attentive in-law; a mother who chaperoned school outings; and as a woman who balanced the demands of work and parenting so that her children stayed "rooted."
As some in the crowd of nearly 400 sobbed, a slideshow revealed grainy photographs of Bet-Badal as a much-adored daughter and as a beaming bride.
Bet-Badal is survived by her husband, Arlen Verdehyou, and three children, ages 10, 12 and 15. Because Verdehyou works the late shift as a police officer at a local college, a friend has launched an online fundraiser to help with the expense of hiring a night sitter, as well as raising money for college. So far roughly $90,000 has been collected.
As the service closed, Bet-Badal's daughter Jolene, a high school freshman, stepped forward to sing "Silver Bells," her mother's favorite Christmas carol. Her words were halting.
Wrapping up the last few lines, her voice soared, spreading beyond the nave. Then, she lowered shimmering eyes. The mourners gave her their only ovation.
