Elizabeth (O'Dwyer) Rahaim "Betty", 95 of Wilmington passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at Seasons/Accent Hospice.

Betty was born in Cashel, Ireland the daughter of the late Elizabeth (O'Meara) and John J. O'Dwyer. She moved with her family to Brooklyn as a young girl and, although New York is a big city, proved out the adage that Brooklyn is just a collection of small neighborhoods.  One of her neighborhood high school friends, also named Betty Rahaim, introduced her to her older brother Tom. And so it began.

After WWII, they courted while Betty completed her RN at the Long Island School of Nursing and Tom finished his Mechanical Engineering degree at Brooklyn Poly.  They were married the day after Christmas in 1950. Four boys quickly followed. When asked if she missed having a daughter, Betty always said no and that her boys were a blessing. Her boys were not convinced, but knew that she loved them anyway regardless of the aggravation they caused.  Summer followed summer. Camping in the Maine woods, maritime Canada and the New York Finger Lakes. She hated every minute - but didn't let on until long after the family camping days were done.  And this might be her essence - perseverance with a good attitude. She rarely complained and storm clouds were few and fleeting.  She was quick to smile and laugh and we always knew to turn to her when life left us winged and injured.

Betty worked as a registered nurse for the New York City Health Department immunizing immigrants like herself and tracking down TB patients in Hell's Kitchen and as a school nurse for the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington for over 30 years.  If you went to a Catholic school in or around Wilmington in the 60's, 70's or 80's, Betty probably stuck you with a needle.  She's sorry if it hurt, but it was for your own good.

Betty was a former member of Holy Rosary Church.  She was predeceased by her siblings, Mary, Noreen, Denis, Peggy and Mickey and her husband, Thomas John Rahaim in 2015.

Betty is survived by her sons and their wives, Thomas and Lisa Rahaim of Woodstown, NJ, Andrew and Jean Rahaim of Key Largo, FL, John and Joanne Rahaim of Cincinnati. OH and Stephen and Julie Rahaim of Wilmington, her thirteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Services and burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Faithful Friends Animal Society ().