Elizabeth May Leebel, devoted educator
Elizabeth “Betty” May Leebel of Lewes entered into God’s kingdom Friday, April 28, 2023, surrounded by her family. Betty was born April 3, 1940, in Rising Sun, Md., to the late Herman and Evelyn (Benjamin, Griffith) Reynolds.
Betty was a kind and thoughtful soul, but despite her gentle nature, she was a warrior, living successfully with Parkinson’s disease for 21 years.
Betty is survived by her husband of 58 years, Dennis Leebel; her daughter, Christine Pennington (Bill); son, John Leebel (Kathleen); brother, Herman Carroll “Joe” Reynolds (Laura); grandchildren, Madelyn Pennington, Else Leebel and Adelle Leebel; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She will be welcomed to heaven by her mother and father; sisters Patsy Reynolds and Peggy Reynolds Stookey Arillo; and dear friend Viola Jane Murray.
Betty, the valedictorian of Rising Sun High School class of 1958, was proud that she never missed a day of school. In 1962, she received her bachelor’s degree in music from Hood College. Upon graduation, she moved to Hyattsville, Md., to teach in the Prince George’s County school system. She met Dennis, the love of her life, and they married in August 1964. In November, Dennis’ career took them to Tokyo, Japan, for four years. They welcomed their daughter Christine in 1967, and two years later, they welcomed their son John.
Betty worked as a music, math and computer science teacher for much of her career in both Prince George’s and Montgomery County, Md. public school systems. She loved to play piano and organ, and as a teenager played piano at Janes Methodist Church in Rising Sun. As an adult, she was a member of First United Methodist Church of Hyattsville, where she sang in the choir and was a member of the New Dimension Singers. Teaching positions in Maryland, Japan and Germany provided Betty with a vast knowledge of other cultures and traditions, which she loved to share with her family and friends. Together, Dennis and Betty lived in Tachikawa, Japan; Hyattsville, Md.; Stuttgart, Germany; Beltsville, Md.; and Lewes. An avid cook, Betty was known to always have ready comfort food for her family and guests. She baked countless cakes and pies, not just for special occasions, but to celebrate everyday life with those she cherished most. Betty was always up for a get-together with family and friends.
Betty was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2002, and in 2009, after moving full time to Lewes, she and her husband started the Parkinson’s Education and Support Group of Sussex County. In 2015, they passed the leadership to other members. The group has expanded its membership and offers resources, education and support to people across Delmarva affected by Parkinson’s disease.
Through her teaching and her participation in the Parkinson’s support group, Betty positively impacted the lives of many people.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m., Friday, May 5, at Bethel United Methodist Church, 129 W. Fourth St., Lewes, where friends may call an hour before the service. Pastor Jim Penuel and Boyd Etter, Delaware Hospice chaplain, will officiate. A celebration of Betty’s life will be held after the service in the fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Education and Support Group of Sussex County, P.O. Box 56, Lewes, DE 19958, sussexdeparkinsons.com; or Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963, delawarehospice.org.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
Visit Betty’s Life Memorial webpage and sign her virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com
