Betty Ann Taylor

Betty Ann Taylor, 90, of Portsmouth, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on October 31, 2023. She was the wife of the late LCDR Herbert W. Taylor Jr. USN (Ret). 

Born in Kewanee, Illinois, she was the daughter of Walter and Celestine (Beringer) Scott. She is survived by her children: Rosanne Taylor-Thornley of Anchorage, AK, Scott Taylor of Alstead, NH, Lisa (Philip) Runci of Bristol, RI, and Todd (Diane) Taylor of Easton, MD; grandchildren: Kyle Taylor, Kelsey Taylor, Timothy Thornley, Kristen Runci, and Gibson Taylor; great-grandchildren: Walter Taylor, James Taylor, Rose Taylor, and Dylan Taylor; and sisters Kaycie Dolezal of Rancho Mirage, CA, and Mary Sue Keeble of Carmel, CA. 

She was preceded in death by her siblings Richard Scott, Patricia Apikos, and Nicholas Charles (Chuck) Scott.  

Betty lived a life full of adventure and travel.  After joining the Navy as a young woman, she left her home in Chicago and was stationed at Quonset Point, RI, training as an air traffic controller. She married her pen pal Herbert who was serving in the Navy overseas.  They went on to raise 4 children while Herbert continued to proudly serve in the Navy. As a Navy wife, she traveled around the country to various ports of duty ultimately residing in Portsmouth, RI and later moved to Alstead, NH to build their dream home. Most recently Betty moved back to Portsmouth, RI to be near her daughter, Lisa.  During retirement Betty traveled the world, highlighted by a cross-country adventure in an RV with her best friend Lynn, a Caribbean tall ship cruise with her daughter, a solo trip throughout Eastern Europe, and numerous Elderhostel retreats painting watercolors of local scenery, among others. She journaled each adventure and enjoyed reliving the moments later in life.   

Betty also had a strong sense of community and throughout her life volunteered with various organizations including the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society and 25 years with Meals on Wheels. 

She will be missed by everyone who knew her. 

Friends and family are invited to attend calling hours Saturday, November 18th, 3 - 5 PM, at the George C. Lima Funeral Home, 367 High Street.

Memorial donations may be made to: The Nature Conservancy, https://www.nature.org/en-us/membership-and-giving/donate-to-our-mission/ 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Betty Ann Taylor, please visit our floral store.