Dorleen Betts Messick passed away on August 31, 2026, at her home in Bridgeville. She was 71
Dorleen was born April 30, 1955, in Milford and grew up in Georgetown. She graduated from Sussex Central High School in 1973 and from the Milford Hospital School of Nursing in 1976 as a Registered Nurse.
After earning her RN, Dorleen worked for 35 years as a nurse at Milford Memorial Hospital, now Bayhealth. She was known for her dedicated work ethic and compassion for her patients. She resided in Seaford from 1978 to 1994 after which she moved to Bridgeville.
Dorleen was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ and a member for many years of the First Baptist Church of Seaford. She played piano for many years at several area churches and volunteered at Delaware Read-A-Loud and the Sussex Pregnancy Cre Center. Her life was characterized by quiet service to God and to family and friends.
Dorleen is survived by her husband Robert “Bob’ Messick, three brothers, David Bettts, Dennis (Amy) Betts and Dan Betts as well as a number of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, William C. and Doris R. Betts.
A funeral service will be held on Sunday, September 6, 2026 at 2 PM, in the chapel of the Short Funeral Home, 609 E. Market Street, Georgetown, where a time of visitation for family and friends may call starting at 12:30 PM. Burial will be at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Millsboro and will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to your choice of ministries that were dear to Dorleen’s heart: First Baptist Church of Seaford, PO Box 1437, Seaford DE 19973 and note the donation is for Missions; or Sussex Pregnancy Center, 5 Burger King Drive, Georgetown, DE 19947.
