Betty Jeanne Carnahan, 93, of McLean, VA, died December 11 in Raleigh, NC, surrounded by her family.

She lived a full and vibrant life. Born Betty Jeanne Shakespeare in Pittsburg, PA, she grew up in Mount Lebanon, PA , where she met her high school sweetheart and future husband, Ralph. After attending Yale Drama School and working as an off-Broadway actress, she married Ralph and started her life a military spouse.

Betty loved being a Navy wife and relished in her duties. Her favorite decade of life was her fifties when Ralph was Commandant of the Naval District Washington. She was “able to do fancy things and meet interesting people”. She had a gift for entertaining and loved organizing everything from intimate get togethers to throwing large elegant affairs. As a military wife, she rarely lived near family, but Betty never worried about that. As long as she was with Ralph, she was home. She lived by the military mindset “wherever you are, be happy”

She volunteered with THIS for Diplomats for many years, as well as the Women’s Committee of the National Symphony. She loved to read, attend theater productions, play Bridge and do the Sunday crossword puzzle. She was preceded in death by her son Steven, and husband, Radm. Ralph H. Carnahan.

She is survived by her granddaughters, Erin Carnahan Lane (Jason) and Kalin Carnahan Soper (Morgan), her daughter-in-law, Christine and two great-grandchildren, Aidan and Emerson, all of Raleigh.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the amazing staff at the Stewart Health Center at Springmoor Retirement Community.

Betty will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.