Betty T. Aldrich

Betty T. Aldrich of Wilmington DE passed away peacefully on April 16, 2026, aged 89.  She was born in 1936 to Wilfred and Bertha Traugott of Virginia. Betty was predeceased by her parents, her husband Paul, and her brother Robert. She is survived by her sister Barbara Murray, her sons Craig and Mark, daughter-in-law Julie, and by her grandson Luke.

Betty was born in Nyack, New York but moved to West Point Virginia shortly after she was born. She went to the University of Tennessee where she studied to be a dietician. After serving in various hospitals, she moved to Delaware where she met the love of her life, Paul, in 1962. They were married the following year and had two sons: Craig and Mark.

Once her sons were old enough, Betty found a new career in HR for ICI/Zeneca, retiring in 2001. After retiring, Betty served in the Altar Guild at Aldersgate United Methodist Church and volunteered for Read Aloud Delaware, a program to raise small children’s interest in reading and one which she helped manage.

When Betty was in high school in West Point VA, she became a cheerleader, which was a harbinger of who she would be. Betty was a very positive person whose passion was supporting and encouraging others. She thrived on the joy she brought to her friends, family and community, celebrating their successes and gently challenging them.

Betty was selfless and devoted to serving. This was seen as a mother, during her years in HR at ICI/Zeneca, and while volunteering at Aldersgate and Read Aloud. She spent the last 10+ years of her time on earth devoted to serving as a full-time nurse for her husband, a long-time Parkinsons patient. She looked at this not as a burden but as her mission.

Betty’s joy and encouragement will be deeply missed but will continue to be felt through those she built up and the causes she espoused.

Donations in Betty’s memory can be made to Aldersgate United Methodist Church or to Read Aloud of Delaware. Funeral services will be private.