Elizabeth “Betty” (Hay) Himes, 95, of Newark, DE, went home to be with the Lord on November 9, 2012.

Betty was born in Berlin, Somerset Co., PA on July 11, 1917 to the late Merle Herbert and Emma Grace (Werner) Hay. She graduated from Berlin High School in 1935 where she received the 8th grade DAR Good Citizenship Award, played the piano and violin, and was a cheerleader.

After retiring to Delaware, Betty continued playing the piano, as well as finding new hobbies in travelling the world, collecting stamps with the Newark Senior Center Stamp Club, bowling with the Newark Senior Center, and attending a Bible study for University of Delaware international students. She was also active in politics, frequently corresponding with local and national politicians, and even managed to have her picture taken with George W. Bush at a rally in Wilmington, DE. She was a devoted member of Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Newark, where she taught the 5-year-old Sunday School and was active in the Women in the Church Ministry and Pioneer Girls. She took it upon herself to seek out newcomers and make sure they felt welcome.

She is survived by her sons Kenneth (Denise) Himes, Denver, CO; Duane (Beulah) Himes, Londonderry, NH; and Jeffrey Himes, Denver, CO; and daughter Janell (Michael) Zimansky, Newark, DE, with whom she lived. She had 6 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Ruth Thomas, Silver Spring, MD, and brother-in-law, James Houston, Elkton, MD. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Himes, whom she married in 1941, and her sister, Evelyn Houston.

A service celebrating her life will be held at Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 308 Possum Park Road in Newark, on Friday, November 16th. Friends may greet the family from 10-11am, followed by the service at 11am. A private burial will be held in Rochester, PA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Evangelical Presbyterian Church, c/o R.T. Foard & Jones Funeral Home, 122 West Main St., Newark, DE 19711.