A couple of Betty Barnes’ friends were in touch with people they knew who had known Betty either personally or through local clubs. A celebratory luncheon of her life was held June 6 at the Table and Taproom (Captain’s Table) where about 30 of her friends gathered to talk and remember her as their friend.

She was a member of Village Improvement Association of which she was president 1986-88 and was still very active up until her death in May 21, 2013.

She was a member of the Beebe Medical Center Auxiliary for many years where she was the historian and helped twice with gathering the history of this auxiliary together and producing the information.  She was also active in the following:  the Sussex Gardeners, Rehoboth Art League, Rehoboth Beach Country Club and was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church of Rehoboth Beach where she and her husband Russell Bates Barnes were married in 1939.

The luncheon group talked of Betty’s friendship, her never-ending love of books and the libraries, her many friends, how they had gotten to know her, her club work, her love of life and her many other great qualities.   I worked with her on the history committee with Pat Sandy from the Beebe Medical Center Auxiliary and will never forget the day we were at a meeting and she announced she would be 94 years old in day or two, and not having known her for long I told her that wasn’t possible. And she chuckled. She lived to 97 and was still active. She will be remembered by all that attended the luncheon or had any interaction with her through her long and interesting life.

Muriel Pfeiffer
Lewes