Elizabeth S. "Betty" (Shippee) Tanner, 70, passed away on Thursday, November 5, 2020 at home surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of David A. Tanner, Sr. for 37 years.
Born in Putnam, CT, she was the daughter of Leonard C. and Barbara M. (Weaver) Shippee. Betty was an avid traveler who loved to share her adventure with her friends and family. Over the course of her life, she drove across the country multiple times, and developed a deep appreciation of the natural wonders found in the National Parks. As a young woman, Betty worked as a teacher on a Hopi reservation in Arizona, where she fell in love with the grandeur of the Southwest. It was her greatest joy to one day share this love with her dear husband and children. After returning to RI, she met and married her husband Dave while both were working as math teachers. Her career as an educator carried over into her life in a myriad of ways, and she was a true life-long learner and teacher. She worked formally and informally in education for her entire life, in roles ranging from caretaker for three young children to volunteer Smithsonian docent to middle/high school math and science teacher.
After her retirement, Betty was able to cultivate her longtime love of wildlife, particularly eagles, and spent many a day with her husband searching for nests and photographing her favorite fledglings and eaglets. She also relished spending time with her grandchildren, as a caretaker and a partner-in-crime, and she delighted in her role as Gram to her four young grandkids. In true traveler's fashion, Betty made life-long friends near and far, touching countless lives on her journey. She was selfless in all things, and spent her life in service to others while asking for nothing in return. She loved to see others smile, and was quick with a joke or a word of encouragement. Throughout her illness, she worked hard to stay positive and encouraged her family and friends to do the same. She will be terribly missed.
Betty was the loving mother of Rebecca B. Prochilo (John) and David A. Tanner (April), as well as the adoring grandmother of Gideon, Aurelia, Sophia, and Elliot. She is survived by her siblings Roy Shippee, Warren Shippee, Nancy Hammond, Norman Shippee, Barbara Berwick, and Wayne Shippee.
Services will be private at the request of the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Women & Infants Development Foundation (foundation.womenandinfants.org), or, HopeHealth Hospice, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02804). Information and condolences, visit TheQuinnFuneralHome.com
