Bette Applegate

Bette Applegate

Bette Virginia Avery Applegate, 87, an Annapolis resident for 43 years, died May 23 of natural causes, at home with her family.
She was born April 13, 1925 in Columbus, Ohio, and graduated from Columbia High School in Maplewood, NJ in 1943. In 1947, Bette graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Art Degree from Skidmore College. Following graduation, she went to work as a designer at Continental Can Company in New York City.
After moving to the Annapolis area, she studied architecture at Anne Arundel Community College and at Catholic University. Bette was employed as a planner with the City of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County.
As a Navy wife, she raised six children while relocating 21 times. Among her achievements, Bette successfully lobbied for the Bay Ridge Firehouse and Bike Path. In addition, she and her husband followed the historic pioneer trails in their Cessna 175.
Bette was a Eucharistic Minister for St. Mary's Church in Annapolis, and volunteered in the community and at nursing homes. She especially enjoyed her time as a tour guide of historic Annapolis. As an avid artist since childhood, she continued this hobby throughout her life. She was also a sailor, and enjoyed traveling through Europe, the British Isles and the Soviet Union.
She was preceded in death by her son, David Mark Applegate in 1971.
Married in 1948, Bette is survived by her husband, Richard C. Applegate, CMDR USN Retired; daughters, Jeanne Applegate of Annapolis and Mary Applegate of Arnold; sons, Douglas Applegate of Springfield, VA, Stephen Applegate of Annapolis, and James Applegate of Annapolis; four grandchildren, Peter Applegate, Max Applegate, Mia Applegate, and Ashley Hibshman; and two great- grandchildren, Daniella and Georgia Hibshman.
There will be a visitation from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30, at John M. Taylor Funeral Home, Inc., 147 Duke of Gloucester St., Annapolis. A Funeral Mass will be held at 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 31, at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 620 N. Bestgate Rd, Annapolis. Interment Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, 1911 Forest Dr., Annapolis. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Hwy, Annapolis, MD 21401. Online condolences may be made to www.johnmtaylorfuneralhome.com