Carroll Elizabeth "Betty" O'Donnell

Carroll Elizabeth (Betty) O’Donnell, of Hockessin, DE, passed away in Venice, FL on July 12, 2015, after a serious illness. The daughter of William Edward and Carroll Ketchum Davies, Betty was born in Charleston, WV, and raised in the South before her family moved to Wilmington, where she graduated from P.S. du Pont High School and the University of Delaware. At a holiday dance at the Dupont Country Club, she was swept off her feet by a dashing Irishman, Patrick Brendan O’Donnell; they wed shortly afterwards in 1953. Four children followed - William Edward (deceased in 1975), Mary Eileen, Carroll Ann, and Patrick James. Pat and Betty were married for fifty-six years, until his death in 2010. Betty's great joy was her family, and she instilled in her children a love of reading, the theater and great movies. She was an active member of St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Hockessin for many years, and volunteered for Catholic charities. Betty was long-time member of the Wilmington Country Club, where she played tennis and golf. While in her 80s, Betty tutored in reading at the Venice Public Library, and enjoyed the friendship of her neighbors at Venice Golf & Country Club in Venice, Fl. Betty is survived by her children Eileen Schlichting, Carroll Taylor, and Patrick O’Donnell, sons-in-law John Schlichting and Jack Taylor, grandchildren John and James Schlichting and Patrick and Jacqueline Taylor, and step-granddaughter Lauren Taylor. A Mass and memorial service will be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 4701 Weldin Road, Wilmington, DE 19803, at 11 AM on Saturday, August 1. In lieu of flowers, a contribution in Betty’s memory may be made to your local public library, to the charity of your choice, or to the Venice Golf & Country Club Community Foundation.