Monday, April 28, 2008By Mason W. Canales

Killeen Daily Herald

TEMPLE – The mother of a Killeen woman murdered in 2005 met the woman her daughter saved this Sunday at the Southwest Transplant Alliance Annual Celebration of Giving and Living.

After Bettina M. Keith's tragic death in August 2005, her liver and small bowel were given to Jessica Ortega, 26, of Midland, to save Ortega's life.

"My daughter's death was a meaningless one. It didn't have to happen," said Michele Eny, Keith's mother, who lives in Killeen. "But because it happened, she was able to help others like she would want to do in life."

Keith was murdered by her husband, Pfc. Marcus Charles Johnson, who committed suicide after shooting his wife. Ortega is one of about five people whose lives were extended because of Keith's organ donation.

Ortega is extremely thankful for people like Keith, she said Sunday, standing among donors' families, organ recipients, Keith's three sisters and Keith's mother.

"I am very grateful, and it was very bittersweet that she lost her daughter in a tragic way, but saved my life, and I am very thankful," Ortega said.

Ortega and Eny have been communicating for about 10 months via e-mail, but took the Celebration of Giving and Living held at Scott & White Memorial Hospital on Sunday to meet in person.

"I had mixed feeling about the meeting," Eny said. "When I saw her sitting there though, I knew it was. I know in some way my daughter is still alive."

Ortega described her feelings before meeting Eny and her children as nervous and full of anticipation.

Ortega began to cry, when she, her newlywed husband, Juan Carlos Ortega, and Keith's family were asked to stand in front of the crowd of other donor's families and organ recipients.

"I have a second chance now, and I think everyone should be an organ donor," Ortega said after the meeting.

The Celebration of Giving and Living also recognized other donors' families.

Donors' mothers such as Kimberly Westbrook and Nanette Jacobs Baird took pictures with all the organ recipients in the room before or after talking about their children.

"It is one thing that we get to hold on to. It is the one thing we know will live on forever," Baird said.

Dusty Milanes, Southwest Transplant Alliance coordinator, gave the donors' families a gift to show appreciation.

"I wish that we wouldn't have ever met you. I wish medical technology could have saved your donor's life," Milanes said, addressing both the donors' families and the recipients. "Know that each use is bound by a common thread, a thread of kindness in an ugly world."

The Ortegas and Keith's family plan to keep into touch. Juan promised that they would become a part his new family with Jessica. The couple couldn't wait to meet Keith's daughter who stayed in Copperas Cove during the celebration.

"We have plans to come back to Killeen to meet all the family, and definitely the donor's daughter," Ortega said.