Elizabeth L. “Ricky” “Betty” Roberts
October 30, 1942 - October 27, 2020
Elizabeth L. “Ricky” “Betty” Roberts, age 77, of Newark, DE, and formerly of Wilmington, DE, passed away on Tuesday, October 27, 2020.
Born in Wilmington, DE on October 30, 1942, she was the daughter of the late Erhard and Grace (Quillen) Rickenback. Betty worked as an Executive Administrative Assistant at Hercules/Bassell, retiring after close to 30 years of dedicated service. Active in her community, she was a member of Union United Methodist Church in Bear as well as the Newark Senior Center. Betty enjoyed volunteering at Christiana Care in her free time.
In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Dean Roberts. She is survived by her children, Elizabeth Ross of Swarthmore, PA and Richard Roberts of Elkton, MD; and 7 grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held at 10 am on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, at Silverbrook Cemetery, 3300 Lancaster Pike, Wilmington, DE. Face masks will be required for all in attendance, please be mindful of keeping social distance as well.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Betty’s memory to Delaware Hospice, 16 Polly Drummond Center, Second Floor, Newark, DE 19711, Union United Methodist Church, 345 School Bell Road, Bear, DE 19701, or Delaware Humane Association, 701 A Street, Wilmington, DE 19801.
Robin Roe
Dear Beth, Rich, and Family.
My sincere condolences and prayers.
Mom was a very special friend who loved life to the fullest. She will always be in my heart.
Love,
Robin
Kenny Roberts
We’re deeply saddened by this news. I wish there were words to ease your pain. I’ll always cherish the memories of our childhood, especially the Christmas times we had together as families. Love you guys.
John Brereton
In times of sorrow we rely on our faith to carry us through. Often, this produces some degree of strife deep within us. Although we know the outcome we ALL face it remains hard to take-in, to understand, and to accept. But it is our trust and hope in God that we must rely on to carry us through, and He will.
Find comfort in knowing that, through our faith in God, Betty is in a place we can all DREAM of being someday. Just as a newborn baby is cradled in the loving arms of their mother and father, Betty is now being cradled by the Holy Father, with no pain or worries. She will always be with us in spirit and in our hearts, leading us to do what’s right as we face our worldly struggles. We just need to keep our hearts open so that we can hear her speak.
Ed Phillips
Betty was one of the of the most selfless people I’ve ever met. I think her greatest joy was to help others and I’ve been a recipient of her kindness many times. Thanks Betty. Sincerest condolences to Betty’s family. Ed Phillips
James Rickenback
We are sorry to hear about aunt Betty . We will keep you in are prayers. sincerely Charles and james Rickenback
John Mayfield
Betty was a good friend and one of the finest people I have known.
John Mayfield
Judy Taggart
Hi Beth, please accept my sincere sympathy on the loss of your mother. Judy Taggart
Joyce Foster
Betty and I met at Parents Without Partners @ 40 years ago. We had many good times at PWP, Friendly’s Tavern in NJ, The Keg, meeting our Seasoned Ladies Group for lunches, and many other fun outings. She was a good friend and I will greatly miss her. Rest in peace, my dear friend!
Dot Milsom
Ricky was one of my dearest high school friends. Always a good dancer and the best cake maker of all. She fought a tough battle but was strong in her faith. I will always remember our good times together.
Erin Foster Hitchens
Dear Beth, Rich and families,
I’m very sorry for your loss. The world is a little darker today bc of her passing. May she Rest In Peace.
Much love,
Erin Foster Hitchens
Bonnie Roberts Gelley
Beth and Rich and family,
My deepest condolences. I am so sorry to hear this sad news. Although I have not seen my extended family in many years please know you have always been in my heart. I have so many wonderful memories of the family get togethers we had when I was young. Aunt Betty had such a positive spin on life and always so selfless.
She will be fondly remembered.
Anne Groo
I met Betty when we were both members of the Newark Senior Center Water Babies (water aerobics) group; we both exercised in the deep end of the pool so I got to know her fairly well. In the pool, every woman looks the same. At our Water Babies monthly lunches, ones Betty organized, I was in awe of the way she dressed, wearing colorful outfits with incredibly intricate jewelry. She had interesting stories to share, usually about her children and grandchildren; you could tell they were her pride and joy. Betty’s absence in the pool over the last few years was deeply felt by all of us. I’m very sorry for your loss.
Kristin Foster Machulski
Dear Beth, Rich and family,
I’m so very sorry for your loss. Betty always had a smile and could always make me laugh. She and my mother always seemed to have the best time, and she will be missed. She was always kind, and the world is a little dimmer without her in it.
Beverly Colonna
So sorry for the loss of Betty. She was a very nice coworker at Himont.
Nancy Klein
I knew this lovely lady on the Junior Board of Christiana Care. She was on the fundraising committee of the Medicine Ball the same time as I. She contributed so much and was so kind. She even baked me a pound cake which was delicious. I also saw Betty here at Millcroft where I live in Independent Living. I think Betty was in Health Care. I like her so very much and she certainly did contribute a lot to the fundraising committe when we served together. My condolences to her family. I’m sure she will be missed.
Pauline C DeAscanis
How sorry I am to learn of Betty’s passing. She was such a pleasant person, always smiling, and reaching out to people. I knew her from two different organizations. I always enjoyed being in her company. I did not know that she was ill. My thoughts and prayers go out to her children and grandchildren at this sad time.
Barbara Tilton
I knew Betty as a fellow member of the pool family at Newark Senior Center. She was one of the founding “mothers” of the monthly luncheons for the morning aquasize group, dubbed “The Waterbabies”, a name based on a book about water sprites, which suited us, we agreed. Betty could be a lot of fun. She had a good sense of humor, was a good organizer, full of resources, helpful to everyone who needed assistance. In the days leading up to her health issues, Betty came to the pool every day and with determination, pushed through her pain. She was fiercely independent, and served as a great role model. Over the years of Betty’s decline, we thought about her and shared our concern when her name came up. We missed having her with us. My condolences to Betty’s family.
Amy Johnson
We knew Miss Betty from Union UMC. She was a wonderful example of someone who loved to serve the church. Years ago, she was so kind to share with us her recipe for the delicious punch she made for special occasions at church. We will continue to remember her fondly whenever we make it. We will miss her. Our condolences to her family.
Scott and Amy Johnson and family
Kellie DiMaio
Dear Rich, Beth and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Your Mom was such a sweet lady with the biggest smile. Sending live and prayers to all of you.
The DiMaio’s
Sandra F Thinnes
Beth and Rich so sorry to hear about your mother miss Betty as we all called her was a good neighbor and friend we met 50 yrs ago when we moved into Robscott. She was always out and about we had many good times together everytime we went out would see Betty sitting on he front porch would call out Hi Miss Betty hows it going? Have missed her in the neighborhood.
Nick and Sue Thinnes
Jim & Mary Beth Desmond
Our deepest sympathy on your loss of Betty. We worked with Betty at Himont/Basell. She was truly the kindest person and will
be missed.
Sincerely,
Jim & Mary Beth Desmond
Barbara Lehrman
We knew Betty from the Newark Senior Center. She was always kind and very good company. When my husband was in
Rehab, Betty sent him a card once a week, which i will never forget. She will be missed.
Kate Salmon
Dear Rich,
It has been too many years since we last saw each other but I will always think of you as my big brother, rolling your eyes as Beth and I played grown ups, careening through Newark carefree and foolish (most of the truly foolish plans were mine). Even though I “borrowed” your clothes without asking and ate more than my fare share of the cakes your mom baked, you still came to the rescue when Beth and I were stranded with a flat tire on I-95. It was easy to join your family because your mom made it easy. I always felt like I was welcome and belonged in your home. I know I often wore out that welcome, but your mom never said anything to me about it and my life has been shaped for the better by the hours I spent as part of your family. I am very sorry for your loss and extend my condolences to Becky and your children. I loved your mom and am so grateful to have known her.
Warmly,
Katy
Dear Beth,
My children call you QB, Queen B, a nickname your mother called you in jest when your …ahem…leadership…..skills were in full form. I truly believe she was equally exasperated and full of pride in those moments. She raised you to be a strong, independent woman who knows her own mind and you were all of those things by the age of 12. She used her wit and good humor to redirect my wayward thinking. I can remember talking some bull**** about valuable jobs v. the jobs that don’t count in the backseat of the car one of the many times she drove us around. She shut those classist ideas down without hurting my pride. I wish I was as good at making my points without making enemies. I loved being around you and your mom. You were often the yin to her yang, and devoted to each other. I am very sorry she was so sick for so long and has passed. May you and your beautiful family find peace in the coming days and treasure your memories of her.
Love,
Katy