Betty Tackaberry Blake, born October 29, 1920, in Honolulu, Hawaii, passed away on April 9, 2015, in Arizona at the age of 94.

Blake grew up in Honolulu, where her fascination with aviation began early. She earned her pilot’s license at age 15 through the Civilian Pilot Training Program at the University of Hawaii. By 1941, she was flying tourists around the islands and witnessed the attack on Pearl Harbor from her family’s home overlooking the harbor.

In 1942, she married Naval officer Robert Tackaberry, and soon after, she was recruited by Jackie Cochran into the newly formed Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) program. Blake was a member of the very first WASP training class (43-W-1) at Sweetwater, Texas, graduating in 1943. 

During her service, she flew 36 different types of aircraft—including the P-51 Mustang, P-38 Lightning, B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24 Liberator, and P-47 Thunderbolt—ferrying planes from factories to bases, towing aerial targets, and participating in test flights. She became known for her skill and versatility, and she often cited the P-51 Mustang as her favorite aircraft.

After World War II, Betty and Robert Tackaberry divorced, and she later married U.S. Air Force pilot George W. Blake in 1946. Together they settled in Arizona, where they raised three sons, all of whom became pilots themselves. Betty remained active in aviation circles throughout her life, sharing her experiences and advocating for recognition of the WASPs.

In 2009, she and her fellow WASPs were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, honoring their groundbreaking service and contributions to the war effort. Betty was believed to be the last surviving member of her WASP training class.

She is remembered as a pioneering aviator, a trailblazer for women in military aviation, and a devoted wife and mother. Her life reflected courage, resilience, and a passion for flight that inspired generations.