Obituary: Betty A. (Johnston) Marshall, 98, of Guilford

Obituary courtesy of Guilford Funeral Home:

Betty A. (Johnston) Marshall, age 98, of Guilford, CT, previously of Palm Coast and Jacksonville, FL and Newington, CT, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2021 with her devoted children by her side. Betty was born January 21, 1923, the only child of Merle S. Johnston and Hazel (Russ) Johnston. She grew up in Washington, PA, surrounded by a warm and loving family, spending her summers in Shallotte, NC, enjoying the ocean life that she so loved. This beautiful May Queen married her high school sweetheart, Gerald “Jerry” Marshall, on May 21, 1944. These two extraordinary soul mates and best friends enjoyed a military life and all that it offered, living in many areas of the county including, NH, AZ, OH, MD, PA, and NJ, eventually settling in Newington, CT in 1963 to raise six children together. In her last ten years, she lived at The Gables/Solstice in Guilford, CT in the loving care of her daughter Suzanne and JM Homecare, where her life was filled with family, activities, and friends, including her good friend Bill Summa.

Betty, a quiet but fierce soul with a whimsical spirit, was often described as “simply the sweetest person you’ll ever meet.” She was extremely artistic, a talent she brought to bear in her painting, sewing, and decorating. As an adventurer, ever-filled with wanderlust, she and Jerry traveled the globe, with joy-filled trips to Scotland, England, Greece, Spain, Canada, and Hawaii.

A talented artist, she was also an adventurer, "ever-filled with wanderlust," and with her husband traveled the globe.

She leaves to celebrate her life and mourn her passing Jeffrey Marshall and his partner Shirley Ravenshorst of Lakeside CA; Suzanne Bye and her husband Lawrence of East Haven, CT; Sara Thompson and her husband Matthew of W. Hartford, CT; Katherine Voght and her husband Richard of Willington, CT; and John Marshall and his wife Catherine of Palm Coast, FL. She also leaves 11 grandchildren: Allison, Jeffrey, Justin, Kaley, Tucker, Maggie, Alex, Jane, Sara, Brett and Lauren, and 4 great grandchildren, Aria, Briela, Claudio, and Olivia. She was predeceased by her husband Jerry in 2009 and her son Robert in 2004.