Mary Jane Dullea
January 11, 1921 ~ March 15, 2006
Dullea, Mary Jane, 85, very loved, died peacefully on Wednesday, March 15, 2006. The rosary will be at 7:00 P.M., Friday, March 17, Downing Lahey East. The Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, March 18, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Jane was born in Neodesha, Kansas on January 11, 1921, to Arthur and Mary (Williams) Ratliff. Her life was dedicated deeply to her family, to her church and to education. Jane served as Administrative Secretary to two Presidents at Newman University in Wichita. She served as President of the Wichita Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, and received the Benemerenti Medal from Pope John XXIII in 1969. She was MOM Dullea at Delta Delta Delta Sorority at Wichita State University for ten years. Janes beautiful smile was noted throughout her life and will live far beyond her earthly years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis C. Dullea, Jr. and her son, Jeff Dullea and her three sisters. Jane is survived by sons, Jim (Melanie) Dullea of Highlands Ranch, Colorado and Joe (Marilee) Dullea of Tulsa, Oklahoma; daughters, Karen Dullea and Colleen (Dennis) Gillen, all of Wichita, Anne (Mike) Wolf of Farmers Branch, Texas, Denise (Victor) Godinez of Overland Park, Kansas and Amy (Richard) Woody of Peck, Kansas; 17 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; 4 step-grandchildren; 12 step-great-grandchildren. Memorials to: Newman University, c/o Presidents Office, Attention: Gerry Thompson, 3100 McCormick, Wichita, Kansas, 67213 and Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market, Wichita, Kansas, 67202.
Rosary 7:00 P.M., Friday, March 17, Downing Lahey Mortuary East.
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Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
Amy Dullea, I am so sorry for your loss. Think of you often. I still live across the street where you used to live on West 11th growing up. Have wondered how your life has been going all these years. Was sorry to hear about your father.
Karen, I opened up my paper and saw this beautiful, shining, face. In an instant, I knew it was your lovely Mother. You look just like her and are blessed with her beautiful smile. My heart goes out to you and your family during this time of great loss. Sincerely, Pat Flyzik
I was so thankful for such a wonderfully sweet woman to watch over us at the Tri-Delta house @ WSU. After college, every time I would run into a Tri-Delta we would ask if they knew how she was doing. Thank you for sharing her with us.
Karen and family, Our condolences at the loss of your mother. She was a wonderful person with her quiet elegance and kindness. We shall keep all of you in our prayers. Joan (Mainz) and Vince Wesolowsky
Mom Dullea is someone that I will always remember as a favorite of everyone that knew her. Such a sweet smile and always a kind word. She definitely made a positive contribution to many, many lives. God bless her. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. She will be missed.
Mom Dullea was one of those women whose smile, kind words, and gentle gestures have been with me for many years. As a member of Delta Delta Delta, I had the privledge of getting to know her, and learning from her wisdom. I lost my grandmother not long after Dennis died. We had many conversations about death, life, and losing a loved one we treasured. Those conversations, and her example of strength during his last months and after his death, helped me tremendously. She has been an wonderful inspiration in my life. I chuckled as I read an earlier email. Oh that potato soup! What fond memories I have of the cold days and the warm soup and warm smile. I envision her smiles now with a cup of tea shared with Dennis and my grandmother. She is missed!
Dear Dulleas: Patty and I want you to know how much we loved your Mom and that we share your grief at her passing. Your parents were two of the most wonderful people God ever put on this earth, and theirs was one incredible romance. The love they shared was palpable, a privilege to behold and an inspiration to us in our own marriage. Tolstoy got it right that, ‘All happy families are happy in the same way, each unhappy family is unhappy in its own.’ The happiness and warmth your parents kindled in their home was about as rich a legacy as anyone could enjoy, and you, their children, weren’t the only beneficiaries. It enriched so many of us who knew them. So while grieving Jane, we smile at the thought of her reunion with Denny, her true soulmate. Talk about fireworks! Our love and prayers are with you.
Colleen, I got to know Jane when she worked with Tom Ruane. I was Tom’s assistant back then and Jane was such a wonderful person to be around. I know you will all miss her. She was always a great light in our lives. We Love You. Bob and JoAnn Powers Family
Dear Dullea Family, I cannot say enough about Mom Dullea and the fond memories I will always carry in my heart. I was speaking with a sorority sister when I learned of her passing and we shared how we cannot order potato soup at a restaurant and not think of Mom Dullea. Many long cold walks back to the Tri-Delta house were quickly warmed with a pot of amazing potato soup that she would make for us. The memories that make me smile are far too many to mention, so I will forever keep them in my heart and live a better life because of her. God bless her.
To The Dullea Family – Given the challenge of interviewing & hiring a housemother for Delta Delta Delta could not have been more rewarding for me & the ladies of Tri-Delta once ‘Mom Dullea’ said ‘yes’ in accepting the housemother position on the WSU campus. I enjoyed working with her on sorority issues as well as socializing with her at sorority events. She was truly a lady with a passion of listening, educating & serving others. She will be missed by many but the impact she left on Delta Delta Delta will be fondly remembered. Sincerely,
Heartfelt sympathy to the Dullea family. What a lovely family. May your memories fill you with peace. She was a lovely lady.