Betty Louise Hastings, ‘The Duck Lady’
Betty Louise Hastings, 89, of Seaford passed away peacefully Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019, at her home surrounded by her loving children. She was born in Seaford Dec. 31, 1929, daughter of the late Oliver and Clara Taylor.
Mrs. Hastings was a dedicated homemaker and a proud member of Concord United Methodist Church where she served for countless years. In her younger years, Mrs. Hastings was a substitute school cafeteria worker and she also worked for the Board of Elections as a ballot counter. She had many interests, including cooking, sewing, crafting and caring for wildlife at her homestead. She was often found feeding the birds, deer, fish and squirrels who shared her homestead with her. Mrs. Hastings was proud of her collection of monkeys and enjoyed circle word puzzles.
As a longtime member of the TOPS Club and Boys & Girls Club Pool, Mrs. Hastings enjoyed spending time with friends. She never tired of making people laugh with her jokes and homemade costumes for holidays. Anyone who visited Mrs. Hastings would never leave hungry, as she always wanted to make sure everyone was fed. Throughout her life, Mrs. Hastings was the proud owner of many pets, which she loved and cared for. A member of the Peninsula Blue Grass Association, Mrs. Hastings had a great interest in bluegrass and country music, an interest which she shared with her beloved husband, Henry. Mrs. Hastings spent many years camping with the AMSA Club and her family, traveling to attend bluegrass and country music festivals. Among her favorite camping venues were Sunset Park, Chincoteague, Assateague and the Outer Banks. Throughout Seaford, Mrs. Hastings was known as the “duck lady,” as she brightened the day of waiters, bank tellers, and children with miniature rubber ducks. She loved her family, and was a devoted caregiver for her husband, Henry, who suffered with Alzheimer’s disease in his later years of life. Above all, Mrs. Hastings was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She was loved by many and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Hastings was preceded in death by her beloved husband of nearly 71 years, Henry “Peanut” Alfred Hastings; three brothers and one sister. She is survived by her children: Alvin Hastings (Lora) of Seaford, Merle Hastings (Nancy Wyatt) of Seaford and Cheryl Martin (Jeffrey) of Middletown; her grandchildren: Irene Safaro, Alvin Hastings Jr. (Amy Madden), Nicole Somers (Troy), Ashley Day (Nicholas), Courtney Martin, Tanner Martin; and her great-grandchildren: Brandon Walton, Ryan Walton, Alicia Madden, Samantha Madden, Alexis Joshua, Meah Robertson, Atlas Day, and the newest addition to the family, Arrow Day.
A funeral service will be held Friday, Dec. 6, at 11 a.m., at Watson-Yates Funeral Home, 609 East King St., Seaford, where friends may visit beginning at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow the services at Blades Cemetery, 10th and Market streets, Blades.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Concord United Methodist Church, 25332 Church Road, Seaford, DE 19973, or Vitas Hospice, 100 Commerce Drive, Suite 302, Newark, DE 19713.
Please visit Mrs. Hasting’s Life Memorial Webpage and sign her online guestbook at www.watsonyatesfuneralhome.com.
