Elizabeth Marie Hill, owned Cape Henlopen Motel
Elizabeth “Betty” Marie (Hazzard) Hill, 90, of Millsboro passed away Sunday, June 5, 2022, surrounded by her loved ones at home on her family farm. She leaves a legacy of loyalty and care for those fortunate enough to have crossed her path.
Betty was born Sept. 23, 1931, to James E. Jr. and Bessie Hazzard at the White House Farm in Oak Orchard, the youngest of four children. At the age of 9, she moved with her mother to Rehoboth Beach and later to Lewes. She attended Rehoboth High School, where she had fond memories of her many friends there.
After moving to Lewes, Betty was admired by a young man named Mike Hill, whose father owned the gas station on the corner of Savannah Road near Beebe Hospital. She tended to walk by the gas station to friends’ houses while Mike was working. Word has it that he “barged his way” beside her in a booth at Britt’s on Second Street in Lewes one day and informed her that they were going to the movies together. The rest, as they say, is history.
Betty and Mike owned and operated Cape Henlopen Motel in Lewes from 1972 until the mid-1990s. She was also active in the Eastern Star, where she served as Worthy Matron. She was a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Lewes and served as a Sunday school teacher there while still honoring her family’s Methodist roots. Betty enjoyed playing bridge, painting, golfing, and being a disciplinarian to her children and husband. She was always impeccable in dress and presentation, and she loved entertaining and spending time with friends.
In addition to her parents, Betty was predeceased in 1999 by her husband, Michael A. Hill; and her siblings, James E. Hazzard III, Beatrice I. Joseph and John C. Hazzard Sr. She leaves many to cherish her memory, including her three daughters: Diana J. “Janey” Hill, Cynthia L. “Cyndi” Baumer and Michelle H. “Shelly” Souder; as well as her beloved granddaughter, Whitney E. Nilan; her sisters-in-law: Elizabeth Hill Messick and Myrtle Hazzard; a niece and several nephews; many longtime friends; and a host of devoted caregivers. She also leaves behind a special canine companion, Sasha, with whom she spent many a fond hour in her later years.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 14, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 200 Second St., Lewes, where friends may visit beginning at 10 a.m. An additional visitation will be held the night prior, from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, June 13, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Hwy., Lewes. Interment will be private.
All are invited to join the service via livestream by visiting youtu.be/27wmIJ6StNw.
Mask wearing is required and social distancing must be observed by all service attendees and participants.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE, 19963; or Brandywine Valley SPCA, Georgetown Campus, 22918 DuPont Blvd., Georgetown, DE 19947.
Visit Betty’s Life Memorial webpage and sign her virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
