A memorial service is scheduled for Betty Jane Taft, 87, of Vero Beach, Fla., formerly of Guilford, Conn. and Stuart, Fla., who died on Friday. She was the wife of the late Thomas M. Taft.
Services will be held at Indian River Estates West Chapel on Monday, November 1, at 2 p.m. with a reception to follow.
Born in Indianapolis, Ind., she attended Ferry Hall Jr. College and Indiana and Purdue University. She was a fashion and family reporter for the NY Times and Fashion, Beauty and Shopping Editor for the Indianapolis News before becoming Advertising Copy Chief and Fashion Copywriter for The Wm. H. Block Co. Department Store in Indianapolis. She started her own real estate brokerage in Guilford, New Horizons Real Estate, and later combined with Laura Page to form Page-Taft Real Estate.
Mrs. Taft was a member of Junior League for over 55 years and was a Master Gardener in Stuart. She volunteered in the Medical Center of Indian River Estates and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Vero Beach. An avid bridge player, she enjoyed gardening.
Mrs. Taft is survived by her brother, Donald Mosiman of Stuart; her sister, Peggy Miller of Fort Lauderdale; her sons, Alexander (Sandy) Taft of Stow, Mass. and Christopher K. Taft of Maynard, Mass.; and two grandchildren, Thomas and Erica Taft.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Doctors Without Borders (doctorswithoutborders.org) or Hospice of Vero Beach.