Elizabeth P. "Betty" Shear

Groton - Elizabeth "Betty" P. Shear, 95, of Beach Road, Groton Long Point, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013, at the Mystic Health & Rehab Center.

She was born Avis Elizabeth on June 19, 1917, in Glen Ellyn, Ill., the daughter of William and Avis (Withers) Tull. When her mother remarried Edward Perry, the family moved to Falmouth Foreside, Maine, where she met Harold Shear from Shelter Island, N.Y. on a Naval Academy summer cruise and they were married on Apr. 16, 1942.

During World War II, she lived in San Francisco and Honolulu while her husband was at sea on submarines, and the family moved to Groton Long Point in the spring of 1952. Betty led the Navy life moving back and forth between Washington, D.C. and Connecticut every other year until 1967 when her husband was stationed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Overseas assignments followed in London, England and Naples, Italy. Over the course of her husband's many Naval assignments, she complimented his career tremendously with her gracious diplomacy as the hostess for many functions. Following Admiral Shear's retirement, Betty and Hal divided their time between their homes in Dorchester County, Md. and Groton, Admiral Shear USN (Ret.) passed away on Feb. 1, 1999. Betty spent her last years at her home on Groton Long Point sewing, cooking and writing her memoirs.

Betty Shear was a member of the Society of Sponsors, as she christened several ships including John Young DD - 973. She served as a volunteer at the Mystic Seaport for 50 years and was a founding member of the Pilots Association there. Betty also was a lifelong supporter of the Navy Relief Society and hosted many of their Formal Dance Balls including one at her home Villa Nike in Naples, Italy. She had also, for many years, been a very active and involved volunteer with the American Red Cross.

Her survivors include two brothers, William Perry of Burke, Va., and Edward Perry of Maine; her daughter, Kathleen Shear of New York City; her son, Kenneth Shear of Groton Long Point; daughter-in-law, Alissa (Crooks) Shear; and two granddaughters, Estrela Amar Shear and Avis Sophia Reign Shear.

Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, March 28, at the Arlington National Cemetery, where she is to be laid to rest with her late husband.

Please make contributions in her name to Mystic Seaport Pilots Association.

Byles Memorial Home, 99 Huntington St., New London, is assisting her family with the services.

Please visit www.byles.com for directions, to sign her guest book or to share a memory.