Elizabeth “Betty” Lane, 81, of Corova Beach, NC passed away peacefully on May 13, 2023. Born in Elyria, OH on February 10, 1942, she graduated from Elyria High School and split her working years with her late husband, Billy, between the Princess Anne and Sandbridge areas of Virginia Beach, VA and Elyria where she owned and operated Lane’s Style Salon. Betty and Billy enjoyed beach life and began planning for their retirement in Carova in the early 1980s making frequent trips from Elyria bringing home baked goods on the way to many and becoming part of the Carova community. In the early aughts Betty and Billy made Carova their permanent home where Betty spent her days with their Australian Shepherds, monitoring sea turtle nests, and volunteering for the Corolla Wild Horse Fund. Ms. Betty, as she was known on the beach, had a reputation for being an ardent protector of the wild horses and did not hesitate to tell those who came too close they were breaking the law and to back away.
Betty is survived by her daughter, Laura Mitchell (Daniel, who always made her laugh, predeceased her) of Chesapeake, VA, daughter in-law Brenda Lee Cartwright of Virginia Beach, VA, her grandson, Dan Jr., of Brooklyn, NY, granddaughter Jennifer of Virginia Beach, VA, grandson Ryan Horton and his wife Courtney of Grandy, NC, and her great-grandson Brantley Horton of Grandy, NC. Betty was one of fifteen children and is survived by sisters Jo Anne Koviak (Al) of Elyria, OH, Frances Hevener (Jack) and Marion Hlutzi (Mike) of Wellington, OH, Kathleen Stuckert (Stan Lake) of Florida, Shirley (Homer) Hill of West Virginia, and Rose Matyas (Jim Skorvanek) of Nevada. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews in Ohio. She is preceded in death by her husband, William “Billy” Lane, parents Stanley J. Yourkvitch and Veronica C. (nee Smith) Matyas; brothers, Stanley and Michael Yourkvitch, Sammy (Patty) and George Matyas, Jr. (Karen); and sister Linda Grosso. Betty is also survived by her best friends, pups Surfer, Blaze, and Cody.
Ms. Betty’s family will have a private service and Corolla Wild Horse Fund will host a celebration of Ms. Betty’s life for friends, please see their Facebook page for further details. Betty supported several organizations and donations may be made there in her memory – Currituck Animal Shelter who is gracefully seeking a good family for her beloved Cody, the Shriners, and Corolla Wild Horse Fund.
Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.