Elizabeth Ann "Betty" Moore

AIKEN, SC – Elizabeth Ann (Betty) Moore, age 91, passed away peacefully with family and loving caregivers by her side on Wednesday, May 2, 2018.  Betty was born in South River, NJ – the daughter of Benjamin Edward Daszkiewicz and Anna Freehan Daszkiewicz. Betty grew up in nearby Spotswood, NJ surrounded by a large, loving, extended family.   She graduated from South River High School in 1944 and later received a business degree from Rider College in 1949. She did secretarial work at the admissions office at Rutgers University and later at Camp Kilmer. She was working as an executive secretary at E. R. Squibb & Sons, when she met the love of her life and future husband, Dare. They met at a picnic hosted by DuPont, where her father and Dare both worked. After their marriage in 1950, they moved to Indiana where Dare was transferred to work on a defense project. Born with a congenital heart defect which limited her physical activity, Betty had been told all her life that she could not have children. She wanted them so badly that in 1951, when it was still very much experimental, Betty underwent open heart surgery in hopes of being able to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a mother. A little over a year later, Debbie was born. In 1953, when Dare was transferred to the Savannah River Plant, they moved to Aiken SC. Three years later, they welcomed a daughter, Darelyn, and moved to a new home on Evans Rd in Aiken Estates. In the 1950’s, long distance phone calls were a luxury (often timed with a 3 minute egg timer!) and Betty wrote letters regularly to keep in touch with family far away. Betty and her children always looked forward to the semi-annual visits with her parents, sister, aunts, uncles and cousins who were a close knit and fun-loving bunch! Songs, stories, picnics, and trips to amusement parks and the “shore” were special times for all! Like many of the other DuPont transferees, very close friendships developed which filled the gaps between the treasured family visits. These friendships deepened, flourished, and endured along with Betty and Dare’s love for their life in Aiken. St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church became an integral and lifelong part of their new Aiken family. Betty taught Sunday school, participated in the church bazaars, was a member of the altar guild, and later a volunteer at ACTS. Betty loved music and history and many of the various activities that Aiken offered. She and Dare impressed their daughters when they got dressed up for the formal Aiken Assembly dances. Betty enjoyed people and all gatherings with friends – the Home and Garden Tours, the garden club, the concerts at Hopeland Gardens, playing bridge, attending cooking school, arranging flowers, antiquing, exercising with the Water Hounds at Houndslake (before going to the doughnut shop) or just stopping to have a cup of tea with a friend. Betty enjoyed decorating and making even casual occasions special. She was a good cook and her home was always a warm and inviting destination for family and friends. Betty loved children and being a mother. Debbie and Darelyn looked forward to tea parties with Mom when they got off the school bus. Betty had even more time and fun continuing and expanding these traditions with her granddaughters, Katherine and Allison, who enjoyed playing dress-up, reading, cooking and watching Disney movies (especially the musicals) with their Nana. Recently, the family was so grateful that Betty was able to meet her new great-granddaughter, Edith Anne Bright. Betty was preceded in death by her husband Dare. She is survived by two daughters, Debra Moore Duncan (Mike) of Athens, GA, and Darelyn Moore Holliday (Bobby) of Easley, SC; granddaughters Katherine Duncan Bright (Jeremy) of Charleston, SC and Allison Jean Duncan of Asheville, NC; and great-granddaughter Edith Anne Bright. She is also survived by her sister, Flora Ann Pulda of Delray Beach, Florida. Betty will be missed – not only by a loving family and cherished friends, but also by the devoted caregivers who were a blessing in her final years. The family wishes to extend their immeasurable gratitude to her loving private sitters as well as the compassionate Harbor Chase staff.  Those who knew and remember Betty always mention her radiant smile and gentle spirit. When faced with a dilemma, her typical answer was usually, “Well, we’ll work it out.” One of Betty’s classic responses to most questions would be a very positive, “You Betcha!” Betty will be remembered as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 12th at two o'clock in the afternoon at St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church with the Reverend Joseph Whitehurst officiating. A reception for family, friends and caregivers will follow in the Stevenson-McClelland Building. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association, 3223 Sunset Blvd #100, West Columbia, SC 29169, or to the charity of one's choice. SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC Betty's online guestbook may be signed at www.shellhousefuneralhome.com To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Elizabeth Ann "Betty" Moore, please visit our flower store.