Christmas won't be the same without Aunt Betty

0 Comments | USA TODAY, December, 2003 | by Craig Wilson

My partner Jack's aunt died this year and instantly became a family legend.

She was at home, in her favorite chair, watching the news and having her bourbon and water -- tall, lots of ice -- when she passed away at 85. Her name was Betty McCoy.

Within days, the family mantra became "We all want to do a Betty McCoy!" There seemed no better way to go.

We'd see Aunt Betty every Christmas on our annual trek north for the holidays. She'd fly in from California to visit her son's family in New York, then travel up the Hudson Valley to their country house for Christmas. It's there we'd join them for an overnight.

And without fail, year after year, she'd be standing in the doorway wearing one of her many sweatshirts bearing a holiday theme. There were...