Betty M. Campanella

Betty M. Campanella, age 83 of Wilmington, Delaware passed away on Tuesday, September 12, 2017 at Christiana Hospital surrounded by her loving family after a short and courageous battle with leukemia.

Born on March 28, 1934 to Walter J. and Elsie V. (Hinton) Brown, Betty was the second of three children and the only daughter. She was raised in Holloway Terrace and enjoyed being in the company of relatives and many lifelong family friends during this time. She graduated in 1952 from St. Peter’s High School in New Castle.

Betty retired from the Department of Justice in 2006 after 36 years of employment with the State of Delaware, where she was a founding member of the Division of Consumer Affairs.

Betty is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Joseph F. Campanella, who she married on September 18, 1954. She is also survived by her six children: daughter Patricia L. Nichols and her husband Michael of Corona, CA; son Joseph W. Campanella and his wife Renee of Marina Del Ray, CA; son Paul F. Campanella and his wife Karen A. of Wilmington; son John A. Campanella and his wife Cindy of Newark, Delaware; daughter Elizabeth C. Beaver and her husband Leon J. of Wilmington; and son James C. Campanella of Wilmington. She is also survived by her devoted brother, Paul E. Brown of Wilmington.

She was an adoring “Grammy” to her twelve grandchildren (“grands”): Adam M. and Sarah P. Nichols; Joseph J. Campanella; Anthony P., Kirsten A, and Jillian A. Campanella; Mark A. and Jaclyn E. Campanella; Michael G. and David P. Beaver; and Katlyn M. and James C. Campanella.

Betty was predeceased by her parents as well as her brother, Walter J. Brown, Jr.

Betty cherished her family above all else. She enjoyed hosting family and friends for holiday dinners and other special occasions and she loved attending the many activities of her “grands.” Betty was very artistic and many of her family and friends proudly display beautiful floral arrangements in their homes lovingly created by Betty. She loved music, especially classical and liturgical, and a highlight of Sunday Mass was hearing the melodic voices of the St. Joseph on the Brandywine Choir. Betty was delighted at the generosity of several of the choir members who visited her on numerous occasions at Christiana Hospital to serenade her and these acts of kindness brought her enormous peace.

Betty lived by many virtues that were easily recognizable to all who knew her, such as acceptance, faith, forgiveness, kind heartedness, generosity, encouragement, patience, humility, and love.

The family gratefully acknowledges the compassionate care provided by everyone at Christiana Care Health System and Seasons Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Betty’s memory to Little Sisters of the Poor, 185 Salem Church Road Newark, DE 19713.