Elizabeth Marie Guthrie

Elizabeth “Betty” M. Guthrie (nee Loughrey), age 92 of Claymont passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on May 31, 2022.   Betty was born on October 2, 1929 to the late Thomas G. Loughrey and Elizabeth C. Brainard.  Betty was born a twin to Dolores C. Kee. 

Betty was a 1946 graduate of the the former St. Paul’s Commercial High School and later worked for 7 years in the DuPont Purchasing Department.   In 1952 Betty married the love of her life, Samuel J. Guthrie and together the couple spent 68 wonderful years together.   Betty was a stay-at-home mom, and together her and her husband raised 4 wonderful children. 

Betty was actively involved as a volunteer with St. Francis Jr. Board for over 30 years.  She was a devout Catholic and a parishioner at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Claymont, DE.  Betty loved and trusted God in all things.

The joys of her life were her children, 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.  When not tending to her family Betty enjoyed vacationing in Stone Harbor, N.J., Disney World and West Palm Beach.  She and her Husband traveled to Ireland, Bermuda and Hawaii.

In addition to her parents, Betty is preceded in death by her Husband Samuel J. Guthrie and her son Samuel J. Guthrie Jr.   Her siblings Thomas J. Loughrey; Antoinette Loughrey; Paul J. Loughrey; Dolores C. Kee and Marie Malone.   Betty is also preceded in death by her infant grandson Jonathan Guthrie. 

Betty is survived by her 3 children Michael S. Guthrie (Dorothy); Elizabeth Guthrie-Bachmurski; Daniel Guthrie (Michelle) along with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Daughter-in-law Kathy and beloved “daughter-out-law” Mary B Maguire. Betty also leaves behind a host of many loving nieces, nephews and cousins all of whom she loved dearly.

Services will be livestreamed and recorded and may be viewed by accessing the following link;  https://hrparish.com/241

A visitation will be held on Tuesday June 7, 2022 from 10am-11am at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church located at 3200 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont DE.  Mass of Christian Burial will immediately follow. 

Entombment will take place at Cathedral Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made in Betty’s honor to either Bayada Hospice  4250 Lancaster Pike, Wilmington DE 19805 or the Holy Rosary Catholic Church 3200 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, DE 19703.

Below, the family would like to leave some of their fondest memories of Betty. 

Patrick Guthrie (Liz Napolin) and their sons Luke and Sammy:  

Just a few of my countless

Memories with Grandmom are: singing “Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf?” in the

Kitchen, waking up on summer mornings at the house, her letting me train for space

Missions in the hot attic over Grandpop’s objections, beating me in bowling, her

Sleeping in the opposite bed in the boys’ room when I was afraid.

She has always been pretty much the center of the universe and an anchor of love and light to me.

Kevin B. Guthrie:

Thursday night cards with the sweetest woman I’ve ever met, meant the world to me.

Michael J. Guthrie:

Grandmom, you are the best and you always make everything better, especially those grilled cheese sandwiches. 

Holly E. Andino, Sean and Essie:

Grandmom, you are a strong woman full of strength, faith, grace and love.  Your life was very special to all of us.  We love you very much!

Catherine A. Kuykendall and Bryce: 

Grandmom, you are the sweetest person I know.  Everyone who meets you loves you and your entire family adores you.  “The lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” Deuteronomy 31:8

Jack S. Bachmurski, Rachel, Noah and Liam:

There was never a better feeling than being home sick from school.  Getting to lie on the couch in the living room after grandmom set it all up was the best.  Then she would make grilled cheeses, chicken noodle soup and iced tea all day.  Sick days were by far some of my best days thanks to grandmom. 

Liz Demarco, Nick and Nellie:

Grandmom, ever since I was a little kid just the thought of being around you gives me the warmest feeling of love and happiness.  The literal human embodiment of feeling the sun on your face or being wrapped up in a blanket with soup when I was sick (maybe because you used to do this with me and I always knew I would be just fine cause “grandmoms got me”) It may not be possible, but Campbell’s chicken noodle soup tastes better when you made it.   You always made it so obvious that you loved me, and all your kids and grandkids and great-grandkids so much, that I swear it is soul healing just to talk to you.  You brought so much easy joy to everything and taught me that you can get through anything when you are grateful for the day because it’s all about your perspective. 

Tim Bachmurski:

Grandmom, I loved being able to grow up having almost every day to spend time with you before and even after school when you would help me with my homework.  Some of my favorite memories we have that I love is when she would take me over to the mall, almost every weekend for Chick-fil-a.  Growing up with you I just felt so fortunate.  You really are one of my best pals.  

Ryan Guthrie, Amanda and Oliver:

Favorite life lesson learned from Grandmom.  “It’s not about winning or losing, it’s about winning!”

Christine Dunn, Michael and Jonathan:

Grandmom, you taught me that no matter what is going on, there is still joy and happiness in this world.  Because of you, I frequently pause to say “we are so blessed” because we truly are.  You taught me that "flies dont like pickles" 

Lauren McDonnell and Matthew:

You mean the world to me and have been such a positive role model in my life.  I am so blessed to have had so many vacations and memories with you.  Your strength and elegance inspire our whole family.  I will always remember your advice to me as a teenager.  “Why buy the cow, when the milk is free?”  We love you more than you know. 

Shannon Guthrie-Fisher, Izyah and Scarlet:

We were blessed with such a wonderful Grandmother.  Her smile made of sunshine and her heart of gold.  Beautiful in her royal blue, sweet lady, go on now, Daddy and Grandpop are waiting for you.