Elizabeth Dolores Van Dyke's Obituary
Elizabeth Dolores Van Dyke, née Fournier was born on March 26, 1936, in Queens, New York to Peter and Ada Fournier. She is predeceased by her brother, Peter and her sister, Gail.
She met her husband, Robert Van Dyke, an air force veteran on a blind date on February 3, 1956, and married one year later on that same day. Robert passed away on February 4, 2016.
Together they had five children: Robert, William, Mary Anne Iseman (Scott), Thomas (Jennifer), and Dennis. They had seven grandchildren in age order: Scott, Ceejay, Luke (Morgan), Thomas (Katelynn), Sarah, William, and Hannah. They also had three great-grandchildren: Bethany, Amelia, and Samuel.
She was a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, an excellent homemaker and an even more spectacular cook and baker. She was famous for her chocolate chip cookies, brownies, and pies. Elizabeth made everyone who walked into her home feel loved and welcome and they were usually greeted with baked goods. Robert and Elizabeth’s door was always open.
Elizabeth came to faith in Christ through her husband and to further share their faith they joined the Gideons International ministry and distributed Bibles throughout the New York Metropolitan area and Long Island. She was a faithful attendant of Huntington Baptist Church while living in New York, and Oak Orchard Community Church after moving to Delaware. Elizabeth and Robert were wonderful Christ-like examples both in their personal lives and in their marriage. They made it their mission to spread the love of Christ to whomever they could.
Even though we will truly miss Elizabeth’s presence here on earth, we are joyful that we will one day meet again in Heaven with Jesus. We know that she and Robert’s reunion in Heaven was sweet and much anticipated. We are grateful that Elizabeth’s suffering here on Earth is no longer existent because just like Revelation 21:4-5 references, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who is seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
A funeral service will be held on Monday, January 5, 2026 at Watson Funeral Home and Crematorium, 211 S. Washington St., Millsboro, DE 19966 at 12:30 PM. A viewing will be held from 11:30 to 12:30 PM prior to the service. Interment will follow immediately at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
Those who cannot attend services in person are invited to join via live stream at:
http://www.watsonfh.com/obituaries/permalink/11990166/LTWebcast
*** FLORISTS PLEASE DELIVER FLORAL ARRANGMENTS BY 9 AM ON MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2026.
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