Bettye Dillon Thompson, loved her family

Bettye Dillon Thompson passed away peacefully Saturday, April 20, 2024, at her home in Rehoboth Beach.

She was born in Memphis, Tenn., Nov. 5, 1929, to the late LeRoy and Essie Dillon, and was an only child. She grew up in Wilmington and graduated from A.I. DuPont High School, where she was a starter on the women’s varsity basketball team beginning in seventh grade. She was a debutante celebrated at the Hotel Du Pont before attending University of Delaware, where she met her future husband, Stan Thompson. After marriage, they would reside in Salisbury, Md., and later in Georgetown while Stan worked for Southern States Cooperative as district manager of the Eastern Shore. In 1955, they moved to Rehoboth Beach when Stan became managing partner of the Southern States Agency in Nassau. A year later, Stan would cofound Edgehill Drugs Inc., opening their first pharmacy in 1957 in the new Edgehill Shopping Center in Dover. For years, Bettye would work at the new pharmacy locations as they came on board after Stan bought out his partners and continued to manage the day-to-day operations of both family businesses.

Bettye and Stan were long-standing members of RBCC and enjoyed golf, bridge and socializing with their many friends over the years. Stan was a pilot and they would often fly their plane between condos in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Boca Raton, Fla.

Bettye hosted many a family cookout around their pool on Henlopen Avenue and later holiday celebrations at their Pennsylvania Avenue home. They loved being with their family and were extremely proud of their children and grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Bettye was predeceased by her husband of 65 years, Stan, in 2015; and her grandson, Brent, in 2002. She is survived by their three children, Blake Thompson and his wife Carol, Eve Hughes and her husband Tom, and Blair Thompson and his wife Timarie; four grandchildren, Greer, Drew, Wade and Chase; and seven great-grandchildren. Bettye loved her family!

There will be a private graveside service for family members and Bettye’s wonderful team of caregivers, for which the Thompson family is extremely grateful!

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.