Jean Delo (nee Barnes) of Keystone Heights, Florida, died on July 15, 2013 in Falls Church, Va. She was 86. Jean was born in Barnes, Pa. on November 17, 1926 and is preceded in death by her parents Roy and Leda Caughey Barnes and her brother Jack Barnes.
Jean grew up in Erie, Pa. and attended Millcreek High School. She met and married Ray Delo when they both were employed at the General Telephone Company. Their careers led them briefly to California, and also to Oil City, Pa., Marion, Ohio, and York, Pa. Her three sons all graduated college and settled into their careers with their families. Mike (Vicki) lives in Marlton, N.J. while Jerry (Ann) and Jeff (Donna) both reside in Arlington, Va.
Jean felt the pull of history and family tradition when in 1994 she moved to Keystone Heights. In the 1920s her father had worked to help layout the town and later her mother and father met and were married there. She treasured the golf course that had been surveyed by her father and she eventually had two different homes built adjacent to the golf course.Jean joined Community Church, where her grandfather Edwin Caughey had been a charter member and her aunt Elizabeth Caughey had worshipped in the 70′s and 80′s.
Jean’s retirement years were richly enjoyed and shared with many close friends. Her days were spent caring for her home and giving back to her community and her friends who she loved dearly. She was a dedicated volunteer who worked tirelessly for her churches and the Lake Area Ministries food bank (LAM). She also enjoyed playing bridge and golf and was a member of the Keystone Heights Golf and Country Club. Jean became an ardent and knowledgeable fan of the Florida Gators sports teams (much to the chagrin of her Nittany Lion sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren). She loved listening to music, especially the Gaithers Vocal Band, Jones Radio and the music at Trinity Baptist Church in Keystone Heights where she found her most recent church home and became a member in 2011.
Besides her parents and brother, Jean is preceded in death by her grandson Michael, her brother-in-law Chuck Grappy, her stepmother Edith (Griffey) Barnes, her nephew David, and her ex-husband Ray.
Along with her sons and daughters-in-law, Jean is survived by her grandchildren Kristin Delo (Dan) of Berkeley, California, Christine Lydic (Kevin) of Marlton, N.J., and Devin and Katie Delo of Arlington, Va. She is also survived by her sister, Betty Grappy and nephew, Steve Grappy, from Erie, Pa., sister-in-law, Fran Barnes of Chanhassen, Minnesota, nieces Dee, Janice, Colleen, and Kathleen also of Minnesota and their children and grandchildren.
Jean moved to Virginia on Memorial Day, 2013 to be closer to her three sons and grandchildren. She spent a particularly joyous day with her extended family on June 1, at the wedding of her oldest grandchild, Kristin. A memorial service will be held at Trinity Baptist Church on a date yet to be determined followed by interment at Keystone Heights Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Lake Area Ministries in Keystone Heights, 131 NE Commercial Circle, Keystone Heights, FL 32656, or to a charity of your choice .