Published in the July 17, 2020 edition.
WEST HARWICH — Jeanne Marie (Bowen) Delory, 89, of West Harwich, formerly of Wakefield, passed away surrounded by her loving family at her home that she loved on the Cape on July 15, 2020. She was the widow of the late F. Leo Delory, to whom she was married for 52 years.
Born in Cambridge on August 10, 1930, Jeanne Marie was the daughter of the late M. Joseph and Veronica (Sullivan) Bowen. She was a graduate of Saint Joseph’s School, Class of 1944, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Class of 1948, and Regis College, Class of 1952 and she treasured her lifelong friendships.
Jeanne Marie’s intelligence and great spirit of adventure launched her career at the National Security Agency in Washington, D.C. However, an equally strong devotion to F. Leo Delory, the love of her life, drew her back to Wakefield, where she was an educator prior to having her family. She considered her career as a full time mother of seven children to be her ultimate career, and her family was her greatest joy. After she became a grandmother, Jeanne Marie thoroughly enjoyed her new profession as a retail sales associate at Talbots Kids, following her brief but exciting career at the Countryside Deli in Lynnfield.
Upon her retirement at the Cape, Jeanne Marie was a daily communicant of Holy Trinity Church in West Harwich and volunteered for many years, both as a member of the Saint Vincent De Paul Society and as a team member at the Holy Trinity Thrift Shop. Her faith was a defining force in her life, giving her strength and comfort in times of great loss and challenge, and joy always.
Jeanne Marie will always be cherished by her children Catherine (Kate) and her husband Dr. Jeffrey M. Brody of Barrington, R.I., Trudy Delory of Wakefield, Leo Delory and his wife Janice of West Harwich, Mary and her husband Benjamin Piechocki of East Sandwich, Ann and her husband Andrew Miller of Potomac Falls, Va., Michael Delory of Wakefield and the late Mark Delory and his wife Julie of Wakefield. She was the treasured Grammy to grandchildren Laura, Annie (Christopher) Ames and Ellen Dechant; Colin (Kara) and Maeve Brody; and Meg, Eileen, Joe and Mark Delory. She was the dear sister of John M. (Mary Lou) Bowen of Longmeadow and is survived by beloved cousins, nephews and nieces, and cherished friends.
The family thanks Beacon Hospice and Visiting Angels Cape Cod for their support and partnership in caring for Jeanne Marie at home.
Out of an abundance of caution for the health of family and friends who loved Jeanne Marie, her funeral Mass will be private, only for her children and grandchildren. A celebration of the life of an amazing woman and her legacy of love, strength and laughter will be held at a later date when it will be safer for family and friends to gather. There will always be blue skies for Jeanne Marie.
Arrangements in the care of the McDonald Funeral Home, Wakefield.
