Betty Ann Shipley

Betty Ann Shipley of Havre de Grace died April 14. She was 71. Born July 5, 1936 in Havre de Grace, her family said she enjoyed horseback riding, hunting and spending time outdoors, as well as gardening, canning and collecting wizards, dragons, unicorns, fairies and other items for elaborate garden displays. She also had a talent for drawing and writing poems. She and the man who would become her husband, James H. Shipley of Havre de Grace, met when they were teens and they spent a lot of time together riding their horses in the country. Relatives also said she was talented in music, and had a good memory for recalling old tunes and teaching them to children. She also played the French horn, and encouraged children to learn and play instruments. After Mrs. Shipley and her husband started their construction business, James H. Shipley Contracting Co. Inc., she returned to school to earn a degree. She also designed the company's logos and served as its vice president and treasurer. The firm was in business for 40 years. When they left the construction business, they returned to the family farm and raised quarterhorses. Relatives said Mrs. Shipley enjoyed watching mares run through the fields and eagerly anticipated seeing new foals as well as new flowers each spring. Mrs. Shipley was the daughter of the late Lloyd Daniel and Myrtle Mae Jones Phillips. In addition to her husband of 56 years, she is also survived by two brothers, Lloyd Daniel Phillips Jr., of Carsins Run, and Harold Edward Phillips and his wife, Joanne, of Havre de Grace; a son, James H. Shipley III and his wife, Barbara, of Havre de Grace; three daughters, Deborah Lee Sorrick and her husband, David, of Forest Hill, Dianna Lynn Shipley, of Havre de Grace, and Delores Lorraine Kennedy, of Havre de Grace; 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Friends may call at Tarring-Cargo Funeral Home, 333 S. Parke St. in Aberdeen today (April 16) from 6 to 9 p.m. Services, officiated by Pastor Ronald L. Tabor, will be at 11 a.m. April 17 at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be James H. Shipley IV, Jeremy A. Shipley, Paul D. Wheeler Jr., Chad W. Weber, Kevin J. Sorrick and David C. Sorrick. Honorary pallbearers will be Michael S. Robbins and John Kennedy. Funeral Home: Tarring-Cargo Funeral Home 333 South Parke Street Aberdeen, MD US 21001