Billie Greene (December 29, 1929 to July 29, 2013)

Billie Greene was a regular at our unit games right up to her death and also often seen at Adventures in Bridge. Here are some memories and a biography.

Ron Ignelzi

I was saddened to learn of Billie Greene's passing. My first recollections of Billie were at Thursday night bridge at Soledad where I began playing bridge with my mother. Billie was always a very patient and kind opponent.

After my mother passed away, Billie offered to pick up the torch and tried to teach me some of the bridge points she has learned over the years always with a smile never with a frown or negative criticism despite all her expertise and masterpoints.

Years later our paths crossed again when she volunteered to fill a vacancy on our board until she realized she no longer had the capability to do so.

I will never forget her kindness, generosity, and non judgmental approach to people along with a great sense of humor and a flirtatious as well infectious smile.

Gary Mollenkopf

Billie was one of those people who when I asked how she was, always replied in the positive. She approached bridge the same way, with an optimistic attitude. Whenever I came to Billie’s table she was ready with a smile. She was a fun person to joke with and occasionally to tease about something. Without missing a beat, she consistently tossed it right back with a grin! She was a very pleasant and cooperative partner and a worthy opponent. I shall miss her.

Matthew Kidd

Billie is one of the first people I played with in San Diego around 2004 or 2005, back when I had just arrived and didn’t know anyone. I remember her as a gracious and calm partner.

Jo Boyer

Billie was one of the nicest players around.

Charlotte Blum

Once when we were waiting for our partners to sit and begin to play I asked Billie about her early life. It turned out we both grew up in Portland, Oregon and went to Grant High school…Go Generals!

Biography

Born in the tiny town of Fremont, Missouri, Billie was the only child of William and Glenna Sloan. They moved to Portland when she was young. She married Lou Greene there and they lived a happy married life until he passed away in August of 1984. She has two daughters — Sandra Greene and Jill Coert. Jill is married to Robin Coert, and has two children, Josh (23) and Katie (20). Sandra is married to Stephen Frew.

Around 1960, the family all moved to the San Fernando Valley. Lou was working at Litton Industries — he was transferred to San Diego in 1974. The family moved to Salisbury Drive in San Diego, where Billie would live for the rest of her life.

Billie had two things she cared about in life — her family and playing bridge. I know that one of the highlights of her life was being in the delivery room when her grandson Joshua was born and getting to hold him right away. Another thing she would brag about was her Masterpoints! Billie was a dedicated bridge player for over 50 years. She was a Gold Life Master with a total of 2717.10 Masterpoints.

My mom, Billie Jane Greene, has left us at the age of 83. I’m sure she is having a wonderful reunion with her loved ones in heaven. She was an independent sort of woman and lived on her own right to the end of her life — just the way she would have wanted — and passed away suddenly and in her own home. Rest in peace, Mom. xoxoxo

Billie was laid to rest at El Camino Memorial Park in Sorrento Valley in a private family service on Sunday, August 11, 2013.

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