Lenore Elise Waite

Lenore Elise Waite, age 79, passed away on Tuesday, June 18, 2019, at Bayhealth Hospital in Dover, Delaware. Lenore was dearly loved by her family and friends. She was a loving daughter, sister, aunt, mother, sister-in-law, mother-in-law, grandmother and friend to so many. Her death was sudden and unexpected, which makes it very difficult to say good-bye. She was a strong woman with a big heart, and she will be missed by many. She was born on Sunday, December 3, 1939, in Basseterre, St. Kitts, to John and Rhona Battice. She was a Rhodes Preparatory High School graduate, of the class of 1958, in New York City, then she earned a college degree in accounting. She married Wallace Waite, Sr. and they had two wonderful sons, Wally Jr. and Stanley, who were the pride and joy of her life. After their divorce, Lenore raised her sons as a single mother and devoted her life to her family. She worked as the Director of the Fiscal Office for the Delaware Department of Public Health, for twenty years, before retiring from the State of Delaware. Lenore was a charter member of the Hattie S. Blackwell Chapter #16 Order of the Eastern Star (OES), Prince Hall Affiliation, State and Jurisdiction of Delaware) and has been a member since its inception in 1972. She served as a Worthy Matron of this chapter, then became an Honorary Past Grand Worthy Matron of St. Matthew’s Grand Chapter. She also had other fraternal affiliations. Lenore was a member of Whatcoat United Methodist Church for over 40 years. One of her favorite hobbies was bowling. She was a member of the Lower Delaware Bowling Senate. Lenore was a master in handling fiscal matters, which was evident in her 35 years of service to the State of Delaware, as well as serving as treasurer for: the Hattie S. Blackwell Chapter OES, Whatcoat United Methodist Church and bowling leagues. She developed lifelong friendships through her years of service to these organizations, as well as her 50 years of residency in Dover. She is survived by her sons, Wally Waite, Jr. and Stanley Waite; grandsons, Quincy, Isaiah, Kristopher and Stanley (“Evie”); sisters, Jacquelyn Warner, Carolyn Battice Perkins and Yvette Blake; daughter-in-law, Margie López Waite; sister-in-law, Angela Battice; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family not related by blood, but from the heart. She was pre-deceased by her parents John and Rhona Battice; sister, Cynthia Battice; and brothers, John and Henry Battice. Family, friends, and others whose lives Lenore touched are invited to Whatcoat United Methodist Church, 341 Saulsbury Road, Dover, DE, from10am-12pm for the public viewing and/or 12pm for the funeral service, followed by a repast. There will also be a special service at 9am to honor Lenore’s 47 years of dedication to The Order of the Eastern Star, a Masonic organization. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Lenore’s name to her beloved church – Whatcoat United Methodist Church.

Lenore Elise Waite

December 3, 1939 - June 18, 2019