Summer Ladder leagues will start first week in June for 10 weeks.
We now will have a 4.0 ladder league on Monday's from 3:30 to 5:30 PM
3.0 on Mondays from 3-5
3.5 on Tuesdays from 2-4
Pickleball has lost an Icon
We are very sad to announce the passing of one of our most beloved and treasured members. Marion Bennett (Copping) Lisehora, age 94, of Rehoboth Beach, DE, passed away peacefully, wrapped in love, and surrounded by her family in the ICU of Beebe Healthcare in Lewes on May 16, 2026.
Marion was a beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, teacher, friend, coach, and accomplished athlete. Although she played so many sports throughout her life, she was introduced to pickleball at the age of 80 by her volleyball teammate, Georgia Billger. Marion was instantly bitten by the pickleball bug. She found a sense of belonging with the pickleball community and relished the idea of developing new skills at an advance age.
A mild stroke at age 90 affected Marion's gait and balance.
It was her desire to return to pickleball that fueled her work in therapy. She worked to regain strength and rebuild lost skills. Marion returned to the pickleball courts. With adaptation and family support, she was able to play pickleball as recently as two months ago.
Marion's family extends since gratitude to Mark and Renate Shaw, and the entire "Nan and Monahan" group for keeping her in the fold of your pickleball family. It meant so much to her to share the court and the sidelines with you.
"She was always the first to come with aid or support with anything that I was working on to help the club." ~Dudley Sluder "
I always fondly called her BADA$$ as that's what she was to me.
She was quite the gem and an unbelievable competitor. ~Rick Bell
"It was such a joy to be in her presence, on and off the court. A true inspiration, so grateful that pickleball gave me the opportunity to meet her and her wonderful family." ~Karen Faber
“Believe it or not, as a child, I may have seen Marion riding the horse that dove off a high platform into a pool of water in Atlantic City, NJ. This was a major attraction of the famous Steel Pier.
I was so excited to meet Marion and play pickleball with her many years later at Clayton.
She was such an inspiration.” - Meg Rice
A celebration of Life will be held on June 9, 2026, at Watson Funeral Home and Crematorium, 211 Washington Street, Millboro, DE, at 11:00am with a viewing from 10:00-11:00am, prior to the start of the service.
Interment will be held at Millsboro Cemetery immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Marion's memory to First State Pickleball Club C/O Andy Staton, 134 Kingsbridge Rd, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971, or Delaware Senior Games, 1121 Forrest Ave, Dover, DE 19904.
First State Pickleball Club will be holding a life celebration, play and dedication at Clayton Elementary School later this summer. More details to follow.
First State Pickleball Club extends their sincerest condolences to Marion's family. Marion was truly one of a kind and will surely be missed.