Elizabeth S. ‘Betty’ Fleming, writer and listening heart

Elizabeth S. “Betty” Fleming passed into the loving arms of the Lord Friday, July 9, 2021, at Beebe Healthcare in Lewes. Betty, 88, was born Aug. 11, 1932, in Wantagh, Long Island, N.Y. During her lifetime, Betty was a “Listening Heart” with family, friends and colleagues. She communicated to all with not only her mind and voice but, most especially, with her heart. 

Betty’s family moved to Pennsylvania in 1942, and her high school and college years were spent in Glenside, Pa.  She earned her B.S. and M.S. degrees from Drexel University in Philadelphia in the field of home economics with a business orientation. Betty had several interesting home economics positions after graduation with her undergraduate degree in 1954, including a daily Philadelphia television program for women. She appeared on the program, conducted interviews, and helped to produce the 30-minute live TV show featuring food specialties. Other interesting home economics positions followed.

In the early 1960s, Betty returned home to help out when her dad had a heart attack. After his condition stabilized, Betty returned to Drexel for her graduate degree. The M.S. degree led Betty to very interesting employment as a women’s page writer and food editor for two newspapers - first, The Philadelphia Inquirer and then The Trenton Times (in New Jersey). In both cases, this feature work required people and interview skills. From here Betty moved on to a career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Extension Service.

Betty’s first assignment with the USDA was as a county extension home economist in Camden, N.J. In addition to the nutrition programs she taught, there was a newspaper column, interviews, and regular TV and radio appearances. In 1969, Betty joined the USDA’s information office in Washington, D.C., as a communications specialist. She wrote many articles for the Extension Service magazine, produced documentary video tapes on field work, and did much audio/visual work that involved field staff at state land grant universities.

 A major accomplishment for Betty in the early 1980s was to plan and host the first USDA Extension Service live satellite video teleconference. It required months of planning and was viewed by over 800 Extension Service participants in 60 sites located throughout the 50 states. Betty then helped plan and initiate a new USDA Teleconference Center and became its first coordinator in 1985.

In 1989, Betty decided to retire from the USDA and moved from Virginia to explore life in Rehoboth Beach. Betty loved to write, and an invitation to write a newsletter for All Saints’ Church convinced Betty that this was her place!

Once in Rehoboth Beach, Betty volunteered for everything available at All Saints’ and St. George’s Chapel in addition to the newsletter – the Christmas Shop, Antiques Show, writing news releases and church history, and even baking bread for a bake sale.

Betty also began writing for local publications. She started as a freelance writer with the Whale and continued at the Cape Gazette. At one point, Betty wrote the Friends and Neighbors column for the Delaware Coast Press and won an award from the National League of American Pen Women in 1996. Betty also wrote articles for Delaware Beach Life magazine.

In 2016, Betty moved into the assisted living section of Brandywine Senior Living in Selbyville. She loved the facility and the people, and continued her writing with people profiles for the Brandywine monthly newsletter. She also wrote her reflections on articles that stirred her in local or major newspapers. This was for family and friends.

While at Brandywine, Betty became affiliated with St. Martins-in-the-Field Church in Selbyville and participated in every way she could. Father Duffy and the late Deacon Tom McCormick particularly reached out to her there.

 Betty was predeceased by her beloved parents, Eugene T. and Marion C. Fleming, and brothers: Eugene T. (Jr.) and William A. Fleming

Survivors include: Betty’s brother Robert C. and his wife Oma T. (Lou) Fleming (Betty “matched” them in 1951!); Betty’s nieces and nephews: Robert C. Fleming (Jr.), Andrew T. Fleming, Scott E. Fleming, William A. Fleming (Jr.), Rebecca F. Bowen, and Elizabeth E. Huonker; and many grand-nieces and -nephews.

Betty’s life will be celebrated at a memorial service Wednesday, July 28, at 1:30 p.m., at St. George’s Chapel, Beaver Dam Road, Harbeson.

 Memorial contributions may be made to the Beyond Church Walls Fund at All Saints’ Church and St. George’s Chapel.