Betty Lee Carmine, Camp Arrowhead icon
Betty Lee Carmine passed away Tuesday, July 25, 2017, at Harbor Healthcare Lewes, surrounded by her family. Betty was born in Bridgeville, daughter of the late Lorenzo Mears and Laura Wilson Mears.
Betty graduated from Millsboro School, where she met her husband Terry. In 1954, she and Terry moved to Camp Arrowhead on the Rehoboth Bay, until their retirement in 1999. Betty worked for the Episcopal Diocese of Delaware, alongside her husband, for 44-and-a-half years. During that time, she served as manager of the DuPont Memorial House, in Rehoboth, as well as conference manager of Camp Arrowhead. Betty cherished the ministry and work with her husband Terry. Their legacy continues in the dedication of the Carmine Environmental Center where hundreds visit each year.
As a volunteer throughout the years she served as homeroom mother, PTA president, Brownie Troop leader, Casa San Francisco cook, suicide hotline volunteer, St. Peter's Church School superintendent, vestry member, and was especially proud of being the first licensed woman lay reader in the Episcopal Diocese of Delaware. There wasn't a job that Betty wouldn't take on with her whole heart.
She enjoyed time with her family, especially hosting memorable holiday gatherings. Betty loved attending high school, college, and Special Olympics sporting events specifically to see her children, grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She took delight in going to the beach, walking the shores in search of soft crabs, crabbing on the dock, reading, crossword puzzles, cooking, writing poetry, watching golf and NASCAR, going to lunch, shopping, attending auctions, and adopting kittens.
Betty was the youngest of three children. She was preceded in death by her brother, Russell Mears, and her sister, Jane Horner. She is survived by her husband, F. Terry Carmine; her children, Debbie Simms (Rick), Kim Carmine (Peggy), and Kelly Stuchlik (Terry); four grandchildren, Karin Simms Laroche (Drew), K.C. Carmine, Susan Simms Passwaters (Rhett), Ben Stuchlik (Katie); and three great-grandchildren, Brogan Evick, Ashton Passwaters, and Ian Laroche.
Services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 14, at Camp Arrowhead.
Donations can be made in memory of Betty/CEC to Episcopal Diocese of Delaware, 913 Wilson Road, Wilmington, DE 19803, or in her memory to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.
Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
Please visit Betty's Life Memorial Webpage and sign her online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
