ASICS GEL TREADMILL

JEAN MARIE REILLY DELANEY --
A Celebration
November 14, 1931 -- December 28, 2004

Jean Marie Reilly was born November 14, 1931 in Jersey City, NJ. She was the fifth of seven children born to John and Genevieve Reilly, and I am so happy that her two sisters, Peg and Rose, were able to make the trip down here. She is also survived by two brothers, Jim and Bill Reilly.

After graduating from high school, mom moved to West Virginia to attend Fairmont State College. While putting herself through school, she met my dad, Donald Delaney, while she working at a local diner in Fairmont. After receiving her bachelor’s degree, mom accepted a teaching job in Canton, Ohio. In 1956, my parents were married, and they moved to St. Mary’s County in Southern Maryland, where they both taught. They rented a cottage on the water – what a beautiful and fitting start to their marriage!

A few years later, mainly because mom missed the “culture” of the cities, they moved to Towson, Maryland, where she taught at Golden Ring Middle School. When she became pregnant with me in 1962, my parents purchased their home in Bel Air. It was important to mom to stay home with me until I was old enough to start school, at which time she began home teaching.

Anxious to further her education in the late 1970’s, mom earned her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology at Loyola College in Baltimore. She worked briefly at a counseling center in Essex, Maryland, and then made the decision to return to teaching art, which undoubtedly was her passion. She worked many years at Cockeysville Middle School, and eventually became the department chair person. During this time, she received numerous awards, some of which include the Baltimore County Art Educator of the Year, Maryland Art Educator of the Year, and National Art Educator.

I am most proud of my mom’s decision to return again to school. In 1990, she was accepted into the doctoral program at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, and completed her PhD in Urban Education at the age of 60. Such an amazing woman! Many universities offered her teaching positions, and she finally selected Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri as her choice. She taught Art Education there for five years. When my father’s health started to decline, she retired and they returned to Bel Air.

After my dad’s passing in March of 2000, the Lord almost immediately drew her to this church, where the parishioners were such a comfort to her. When the Alzheimer’s began to take its toll, she moved to Brightview Assisted Living. Although she could no longer do many of the things she loved, her joy and beautiful spirit still emanated. She was always the first to get up and dance at any given social event! Even in her final months at the nursing home, she maintained her gracefulness and loving ways. She passed away peacefully the afternoon of December 28, where I was by her side.

While we were celebrating her life at the viewing yesterday, my dad and mom were celebrating their 48th wedding anniversary in Heaven.

Mom loved to paint, bake, read, swim, boat – (and drink wine) – and at Bush River Yacht Club, she found kindred spirits who enjoyed the same. Those were the days of trips across the bay to Belly Button Beach, Stillpond and Fairlee. The days of “Under the Tree at BRYC”, where my mom and her friends (Peg, Trina, Judi, Carol, Molly, Ruthie, and Nancy) would drink Gallo Hearty Burgundy, (many times decanted into a much lovelier bottle), Blackberry Brandy, and grilled on hibatchi’s every day of the summer. I didn’t grow up with the “normal” meals – my mom would fix crudités and mini-dinny’s instead – of which I proudly carry on the tradition. She established friendships when they started boating there that last until this day. A ton of the old boat club crew were the first people to visit at the viewing yesterday, and the stories that everyone shared truly warmed my heart.

What I have heard over and over from my mom’s family, friends and co-workers throughout the years is what an inspiration she was to them….and my dad and I are at the top of the list of her admirers. She was an exceptional wife, mother, artist, teacher, Girl Scout Troop Leader, counselor, and loved the Lord with all of her heart. That is why I know she is at peace now. We all will miss her beyond words, but I take comfort in knowing that she will live on through the hearts and stories of her friends and family.

Thank you all for being here to celebrate the life of Jean Marie Reilly Delaney.

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