Elizabeth "Betty" S Thomas (Balback)

Age 92 of New Castle

Passed away peacefully, at her home with family members by her side on May 3, 2026.

Betty was born on August 10, 1933, in Wilmington, Delaware and was raised in Ganderhill, Delaware by her parents, John H Balback Jr and Eleanor May Balback. Betty attended PS Dupont High School.

At an early age, Betty participated in folding bandages to support the war effort during World War II. Her first job was at the Dandy Bar restaurant in Wilmington, DE. She went on to beautician school and cut hair. Following that, she worked at Leigh Subshop in Newport, DE where she perfected her sandwich making skills and went on to open her own subshop, Betty's Subshop, in Newport, DE. Betty later purchased a lunch truck where she served breakfast and lunch meals to the railroad workers at Amtrak on 12th Street in Wilmington, DE. She ended her working years at Kroll factory.

Betty's early interests included rollerskating at The Prince, riding motorcycles, where she was a lady before her time, riding with the motorcycle group, Banshees, and her artistic abilities that she passed on to some of her family. In her later years, Betty enjoyed her soap opera, and we all knew not to call between 3 and 4. She was most happy in the summertime swimming in her pool and tending to her flowers.

Betty's greatest love was for her family and her devotion to being a mother to 3 sons, her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchild. Her home of 50 years in New Castle, DE is a place where so many memories will forever be cherished by her family.

Betty is predeceased by her father, John, mother, Eleanor, brother, Jack, 1st husband, Joseph Shinn, and 2nd husband, Stanley Thomas. She is survived by her sons David E (Terry), Tom, and Tim (Joyce), her 8 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Delaware Hospice at 630 Churchmans Road, Suite 200 Newark, DE 19702 or online at https://delawarehospice.org/general-donation/

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.