Elizabeth Neale Wilson

Born on June 15, 1935, in New London, Connecticut, Betty was the cherished daughter of Richard and Marion (Moon) Neale. She spent an idyllic childhood on Briar Hill Road in Uncasville, Connecticut, living on a magnificent family estate of over 100 acres. The estate held deep historical significance, situated on land originally owned by the Mohegan Tribe. Reflecting the close-knit spirit of the community, the tribe's Chief John Tantaquidgeon and his family were dear friends of the Moon and Neale families.

Growing up on the estate left an indelible mark on Betty's life. The property featured a vibrant wartime Victory Garden and was filled with many stately trees, some of which were later harvested to create beautiful, handmade family furniture.

At the age of 14, Betty moved with her parents to the city of New London, where she attended the Williams Memorial Institute for Women, a high school dedicated to providing a proper education for the young ladies of the community. It was during her sophomore year there that her life changed forever; her best friend, Barbara Newton, introduced her to a United States Coast Guard Academy cadet named James A. Wilson. Betty and Jim met on a blind date at an Academy pep rally and dated for three years. They were married on May 29, 1954, immediately following Jim's graduation from the Academy.

As a dedicated Coast Guard wife, Betty embraced a life of adventure, moving frequently across the country as Jim rose through the ranks. Newly commissioned as an Ensign, Jim was first assigned to the weather ship The Cook Inlet in Portland, Maine, where the couple welcomed their eldest daughter, Nancy. When Jim was subsequently transferred to Japan to oversee a LORAN station for three years, Betty and Nancy returned to New London to stay with her parents. Upon the completion of his overseas tour, Betty and Nancy famously drove across the United States to California to welcome him home. Their return journey became a treasured family memory, as Jim and Betty toured iconic American sites like the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Route 66, the Petrified Forest, and Kentucky's horse farms—all while marveling at the $8-a-night hotel rates of the era.

Betty masterfully managed the logistics of military life through subsequent assignments in the Port of Cleveland, Ohio where son Christopher was born; Wilmington, North Carolina where daughter Mitzi joined the family; three separate tours of duty at the Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C.; and the Port of Detroit. The family ultimately returned to Northeast Ohio, settling permanently in North Olmsted, where Jim concluded his distinguished career as the Captain of the Port of Cleveland.

Betty's passion for adventure extended far beyond military assignments. Together, she and Jim traveled the globe, exploring numerous countries. Among her favorite destinations were the Caribbean islands—especially Grenada—as well as Jerusalem, the Amazon River, the Panama Canal, and Thailand.

Closer to home, Betty dedicated much of her time to community, leadership, and lifelong friendships. Her journey with the Girl Scouts began in her youth at Camp Pattagansett in East Lyme, Connecticut, where she and Bobbie Newton first met, sparking a lifelong friendship. In adulthood, Betty continued her devotion to the organization as a Girl Scout troop leader with her daughters Nancy and Mitzi as members. She was a gracious host who regularly organized Coast Guard Wives' Club events and lively parties for the officers and their spouses. She also loved playing bridge with her many friends. In her later years, quilting became one of her most cherished pastimes, especially when sharing the craft and creating beautiful pieces alongside her granddaughter, Allison.

Betty was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 68 years, Jim, who passed away in 2022; her parents, Richard and Marion Neale; her brother, William Neale, her sister-in-law Marilyn (Wilson) French, and her best friend, Barbara/Bobbie (Newton) Farnsworth.

She is survived by her devoted children, Nancy (Thomas) Whitehead, Christopher Wilson, and Mitzi Wilson; her cherished grandchildren, Allison (Alexander) Moore, Neale (Abigail) Whitehead, Alexander (Lisa) Wilson, and Andrew Peralta; and her adored great-grandchildren, Theodore and Evelyn Moore, William and Lillian Whitehead, and Montana and Daisy Wilson. She also leaves behind her brother-in-law, Thomas (Barbara) Wilson; nieces, Miriam (Michael) Spiak, Paula Rice, Amber (Kirk) West, and Kathy (David) Hoppe, and nephews, Timothy (Margie) Linton and David (Biliyana) Linton. A special thanks goes to her dedicated health aides, Sara, Brenda and Jackie from Griswold Home Care, who provided Betty with compassionate and gentle care for the last years of her life.

A Funeral Service will be held to honor Betty's life on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 11:00am in the funeral home. Interment will follow at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery where she will be reunited with her husband Jim.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, November 12, 2026, from 9:30 - 11 AM at THE A. RIPEPI AND SONS FUNERAL HOME, 18149 BAGLEY ROAD, MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, OHIO 44130 (WEST of I-71).

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio (https://www.gsneo.org/) or the United States Coast Guard Foundation (https://coastguardfoundation.org/) are gratefully appreciated.