Betty T. Aldrich of Wilmington, DE – Obituary (1936–2026)
- Aldrich of Wilmington, Delaware, passed away peacefully on April 16, 2026, at the age of 89.
- Born in 1936 in Nyack, New York, to Wilfred and Bertha Traugott, Betty moved to West Point, Virginia, shortly after birth.
- In Delaware, she met Paul Aldrich in 1962, and they married the following year.
Betty T. Aldrich of Wilmington, Delaware, passed away peacefully on April 16, 2026, at the age of 89. Her death was announced by Chandler Funeral Homes, which is handling arrangements for the family.
Born in 1936 in Nyack, New York, to Wilfred and Bertha Traugott, Betty moved to West Point, Virginia, shortly after birth. She attended the University of Tennessee, where she studied to become a dietician, and later worked in various hospitals before relocating to Delaware.
In Delaware, she met Paul Aldrich in 1962, and they married the following year. Together, they raised two sons, Craig and Mark Aldrich. Mark later married Julie Henderleiter, and the couple had one son, Luke, who is Betty’s grandson.
After her sons were grown, Betty pursued a career in human resources at ICI/Zeneca, where she worked until her retirement in 2001. In retirement, she remained active in her community, serving in the Altar Guild at Aldersgate United Methodist Church and volunteering with Read Aloud Delaware, a program dedicated to fostering children’s interest in reading, which she helped manage.
Betty was known for her positive spirit and dedication to uplifting others. Friends and family described her as someone who thrived on encouraging those around her, celebrating their successes, and offering gentle challenges to help them grow. Her selflessness was evident in her roles as a mother, HR professional, and volunteer.
For over a decade, Betty devoted herself to caring for her husband, Paul, who lived with Parkinson’s disease. She viewed this responsibility not as a burden but as a mission, providing him with unwavering support and companionship during the final years of his life. Paul Aldrich passed away on November 25, 2025, at the age of 97.
Betty is survived by her sister, Barbara Murray; her sons, Craig and Mark Aldrich; her daughter-in-law, Julie Aldrich; and her grandson, Luke Aldrich. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Paul, and her brother Robert.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Aldersgate United Methodist Church or to Read Aloud of Delaware in Betty’s memory.