It is with deep sadness that we share news from Longboat Key, Fla., of the passing of Jean DeLynn on the morning of Jan. 19, 2021.
Born Nov. 13, 1931, to Emma and Milton Jacob, Jean grew up on Bellerock Street in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh, where she graduated from Winchester Thurston High School. She went on to attend Syracuse University, subsequently teaching nursery school before meeting and marrying Laurence (Laurie) S. DeLynn, who preceded her in death in 2010.
The DeLynns were successful business owners in Morgantown with Jean owning and managing the fashionable Floradora Shoppe for over 40 years. It was her passion and a fitting vocation for someone of her personal elegance and sense of style. Jean and Laurie were voracious travelers and once Laurie could no longer accompany her, Jean continued that passion with dear friends. Jean was a spirited golfer and a devotee of Pilates.
Much of the DeLynns’ philanthropy centered around education. At West Virginia University, their generosity supported fellowships, lectureships and cancer research. They endowed the chair of oncology at the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Institute. Through Mon Health, they supported cancer services and the expansion of the new South Tower and upgrades of several departments.
The Jean and Laurence S. DeLynn Scholarship was established in 2007 at the Your Community Foundation Inc. to support Mylan families. A longtime friend of the late Mike Puskar, the DeLynns established this scholarship to honor Mr. Puskar and to provide educational support for the Mylan community. A favorite annual event for Jean was to host the scholarship recipients and their family members for lunch where she would share stories and advice.
Mrs. DeLynn was one of the founders of the WVU Cancer Gala, an annual event that has not only raised needed dollars for cancer research, but an event where cancer education and awareness were at the center. She and her husband also started the DeLynn Golf Tournament, the proceeds of which continue to benefit Mon Health Medical Center.
Jean was active in her Sarasota community and her generosity supported wellness initiatives and local youth mentoring programs, as well as the ballet, theater and philharmonic.
But much of their community support was done anonymously. At the time of her husband’s death, Jean was comforted by these words. …
“You can shed a tear that he is gone, or you can smile because he has lived. You can close your eyes and hope he comes back, or you can open your eyes and see all he has left.” Those are also fitting words for the life work of Jean DeLynn.
Jean is survived by cousins, Susan Oberg Lane, of Palm Beach, Fla., Linda Berk, of Greensburg, Pa., and Hope Hirschhorn, of Connecticut. Jean will be missed by those in Morgantown and Sarasota who were welcomed into her life and by those she supported through her commitment to higher education.
A celebration of her life and achievements will be held in Morgantown and in Sarasota at a later date. In memory gifts are being accepted by the WVU Foundation, the Mon General Foundation and Your Community Foundation.
Arrangements by Toale Brothers Funeral Home, Sarasota, Fla.
