Elizabeth May Leebel's Obituary
Elizabeth “Betty” May Leebel, of Lewes, Delaware, entered into God’s kingdom on April 28, 2023, surrounded by her family. Betty was born on April 3, 1940, in Rising Sun, Maryland to the late Herman and Evelyn (Benjamin, Griffith) Reynolds.
Betty was a kind and thoughtful soul and will be missed by the many people whose lives she touched. Despite her gentle nature, she was a warrior and lived 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 all of whom she dearly loved. 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 was the valedictorian of the Rising Sun High School class of 1958. She was proud that she never missed a single day of school in those 12 years. In 1962 she received her bachelor’s degree in music from Hood College. Upon graduation from college, she moved to Hyattsville, MD where she taught school in the Prince George’s County school system. She met Dennis, the love of her life, and they were married in August 1964. In November, Dennis’ career took them to Tokyo, Japan for 4 years. In 1967 they welcomed their daughter, Christine; and two years later, after moving back to the United States, they welcomed their son, John.
Betty worked as a music, math, and computer science teacher for much of her career working in both Prince George’s and Montgomery County, Maryland public school systems, taking some time off at certain points to dedicate attention to her two children. Betty loved to play piano and organ. As a teenager she played piano at Janes United Methodist Church in Rising Sun. Later, 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, Maryland; Stuttgart, Germany; Beltsville, Maryland; and Lewes, Delaware. 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 the 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, DE, she, and her husband started the Parkinson’s Education and Support Group of Sussex County. The couple led the group until 2015 when they passed the leadership on to other members. The group has expanded its membership and continues to offer resources, education, and support to hundreds of people across Delmarva affected by Parkinson’s Disease.
Through her teaching and her participation in the Parkinson’s Education and Support Group, Betty touched the lives of thousands of people and made a dramatic and positive impact.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 5, 2023, at 11:30 AM, Bethel United Methodist Church, 129 W. Fourth St, Lewes, DE, 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 given to the Parkinson’s Education and Support Group of Sussex County, P.O. Box 56, Lewes, DE 19958, (www.sussexdeparkinsons.com/) or Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriot’s Way, Milford, DE 19963 (www.delawarehospice.org).
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