Betty Jean Nesterak

Betty Jean Nesterak, age 89, of Newark, Delaware, passed away on Thursday, January 4, 2018, surrounded by her loving family.

Born in the county of Altamahaw Ossipee, North Carolina on December 24, 1928, she was a daughter of the late Thomas G. and Inez (Matkins) Herndon. Betty left rural North Carolina at 17 to to work as an executive assistant for the government in Washington DC. This is where she met her future husband, Joseph Nesterak. Once married, Betty Jean and Joe were transferred from Washington D.C. to Kingston, NC, then Roanoke, VA, and Salisbury, MD, finally settling to raise their family in Newark. She worked as the administrative assistant to the Dean of the college of Human Resources at the University of Delaware. Betty had a strong passion for serving others. In her early years she volunteered as a candy striper and spent over 15 years volunteering for the Ronald McDonald House.

Betty Jean treasured the memories spent with her family, especially her six grandchildren and attended as many of their events as possible. She had a passion for cooking and hosting family holidays. Betty Jean loved walking on the beach and watching the waves roll in, big band music and dancing. She had a strong love for nature, animals and gardening.

In addition to her parents, Betty Jean was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joseph; son, Neil A. Nesterak; brother William Herndon; and sister, Marie Jordan. She is survived by her sons, Michael T. Nesterak (Janis), Richard J. Nesterak (Christina); daughters, Nancy J. Duffy and Linda A. Levett (Mark); brother; Thomas Herndon; grandchildren, Erin, Alexandra, Andrew, Neil, Emma and Michael; as well as many nieces and nephews.

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2018 from 8:30 am until 9:30 am at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark, DE. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at St. John the Baptist Church, 200 East Main Street, Newark, DE at 10 am. Interment will be held in All Saints Cemetery, 6001 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE 19808.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Betty’s honor to the Neil Nesterak Scholarship Fund, 420 West Main Street, Danville, VA 24541 or the Ronald McDonald House of Delaware, 1901 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE 19803.