Marion Webster Moore, active in community

Marion “Dee” Webster Moore passed away peacefully Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. Dee was born at Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia, Pa., May 16, 1942, daughter of the late Forrest Norton Webster and Mildred Shingler (Webster) Potts.

Dee was raised in Milford and graduated from Milford High School before going to Washington School for Secretaries. After graduating, Dee worked at Philco-Ford in their Washington, D.C. office.

Dee was incredibly proud of her three sons, and being their mother was her greatest joy. She was known for her warm smile and delightful sense of humor. Dee was a devoted baker and rarely was there a time when you would walk into her home without the smell of warm chocolate chip cookies, just out of the oven. She and her husband, Bob, were a true love story, meeting at a dance on Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk as teenagers. Together, they built and ran the Oceanus Motel and The Bay Resort, and transformed the Dinner Bell Inn into The Bellmoor Inn and Spa, an award-winning Select Registry property. She was also a loving grandmother whose joyful appreciation of Christmas was instilled in her grandchildren, needlepointing each one their own intricate Christmas stockings and ornaments.

Dee was an active community member. To name a few of her contributions, Dee was a 20-year member of the Wilmington Trust Advisory Board of Trustees. She also served as a trustee at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Va., as well as the VIA and Rehoboth Museum. Dee was an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, teaching Sunday school and serving as treasurer and a session member. Also she was a founder of The Jefferson School. Dee was also involved for many years at Sussex Family YMCA, where she was instrumental in the addition of the pool and other important upgrades. 

Dee loved playing golf and was a longtime member at Rehoboth Beach Country Club, where she also enjoyed volunteering each summer in the Junior Golf program. Dee and Bob spent their last 10 years together in the community of Gulf Harbor in Fort Myers, Fla., where they became avid boaters and forged deep friendships. They delighted in daily excursions on their boat, Liberty. She brought them many happy times together.

Dee is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bob. She is survived by her three sons, Chad and his wife Elyse of Rehoboth Beach, Todd and his wife Tiffany of Steamboat Springs, Colo., J.B. and his wife Julie of Rehoboth Beach; her grandchildren, Robert Maxwell, Elizabeth Holloway, Katharine Rose, Richard Mason, Tinsley Webster, Nolan Blake, Marley Holloway, Holden Holloway, Colson James, Lauren Rieley and her husband Mike, and their daughter Lydia, and Tyler Bailey; her brother, Don and his wife Lynn of Rehoboth Beach; and her brother, Dan and his wife Mary Dabney of Susan, Va.

A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 27, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 301 King Charles Ave., Rehoboth Beach.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.

Visit Dee’s Life Memorial webpage and sign her virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.