Mary Elizabeth Wagner "Betty", of Dover, passed away at Rose Lane, State Street Assisted Living, Dover on Wednesday September 6, 2017. She was 96.

She was born May 20, 1921 in North Platte, Nebraska, the daughter of the late Cyril William Carpenter and Nell Clara Morris Carpenter.

She was a graduate of Canajoharie High School, Canajoharie, NY and of the State University of New York, Oneonta, NY where she graduated in 1940. She obtained her BS in Education 1961 plus 30, mainly in Special Education from the University of Delaware.

She came to Delaware at the end of the Korean War, prior to that, NE, NY, MASS, CA, & HI. She retired in 1985, with 29 years of teaching (26 in DE and 3 in NY)

She enjoyed gardening, Republican Politics; and, government. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Alpha Tau, Palmer House, The League of Women Voters, and Dover Century Club.

She is survived by two sons William C. Wagner II and wife Bettielou C. Wagner; and Michael J. Wagner and wife Sally L. Wagner; five grandchildren Juliet, Charlotte, Jackie, Michael, and Katherine; ten great-grandchildren Joel, John, Adam James, John Paul, Michael, Jackie, Christopher, Nico, Virginia, and Sophia; and 12 nieces & nephews.

She was predeceased by a son, Bruce D Wagner; 3 brothers (Raymond, Jim & David); and 2 sisters (Jackie & Louise).

Graveside services and interment will be held at 9:00 AM Wednesday September 13, 2017 at Odd Fellows Cemetery, Smyrna DE.

A Visitation will be held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Tuesday September 12, 2017 at Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home, 123 W. Commerce St., Smyrna, DE. There will be a Memorial Service in October - the time and place to be determined.

Memorial donations may be sent to: Meals on Wheels – Delaware, 100 West 10 th St., Suite 207, Wilmington, DE 19801 TE: (302)656-3257; Delaware Hospice Inc., 911 South duPont Hwy, Dover, DE 19901 TE: (302)478-5707; Delta Kappa Gamma, c/o Catherine Graden, State Treasurer, 122 Loganberry Lane, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 TE: (302)227-9153.

The family wishes to extend a sincere thank you to Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Meals On Wheels, the Nurses and Staff at Rose Lane in State Street Assisted Living, Dover, DE for their care and loving treatment, Delaware Hospice – Transitions; and, Delaware Hospice.

To sign the online guestbook, please click on the tab above marked "sign guestbook".

Arrangements are by Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Smyrna.