Jean F. Dalton
Jean Frances (Kennedy) Dalton, age 89, of Lansing, MI, passed away on February 14, 2018. She was born in Detroit on March 3, 1928, the daughter of Leo W. and Mary Cora (O’Brien) Kennedy. She was a graduate of Saint Paul High School in Grosse Pointe and earned a B.A. degree from Marygrove College. She was a dedicated member of the Church of the Resurrection for over 65 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, James L. Dalton, in 1989; son Terence in 2017; sisters Betty (Jack) Nienstedt, Mary Kennedy, and Barbara Arjeski; and brother Leo Kennedy. Surviving are her sons, James L. (Carol DiGregorio) Dalton, Kevin L. (Mohini Singh) Dalton, Timothy J. (Dawn Newton) Dalton; beloved grandchildren, Rachel, Connor, and Nathaniel Dalton; brother-in-law Eugene Arjeski; sister-in-law Easter Kennedy; many nieces and nephews; and special friends, Steve and Diana Repichowski, and Kari Bramble.
Mom spent every day of her life serving others, whether resettling refugees in their new American homes, helping young pregnant mothers have healthy babies, sharing her love of reading and the library with generations of Resurrection students, preparing special treats for her grandkids, or demonstrating for her sons and grandchildren how to live a good and decent life. In 2006, she received the Ballentine Award from St. Vincent Catholic Charities for “Extraordinary Service to Children and Families” in recognition of her quiet service to others in an increasingly brash and noisy world. She was a woman of incredible strength, faith, and dignity in the face of many challenges. The world is a better place because of her.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 20, 2018, at the Church of the Resurrection, 1505 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, with the Rev. Fr. Denis R. Spitzley as celebrant. The family will receive friends at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Monday, February 19, 2018, where the Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Vincent Catholic Charities.
We love you and will miss you.
8 Messages to “Jean F. Dalton”
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Mary Beth Nienstedt
February 16, 2018 at 1:34 pmYou will be missed, Aunt Jean. But I believe you are at peace. RIP
Jane West
February 17, 2018 at 12:39 pmJean will be greatly missed. I always looked to her for her wisdom and advice.
I know she is with Our Lord now.
Jim Van Kirk
February 18, 2018 at 12:47 pmAs a young student at Resurrection School, I was motivated by the special care taken by Mrs. Dalton to help me find books I’d enjoy. She was so kind to me and I really loved getting bookmarks from her with handwritten notes of encouragement. She is someone who truly made this world a better place and showed us how to spread the love of Jesus Christ.
Irene M Henry
February 18, 2018 at 8:31 pmA gracious, strong, and beautiful woman, with a lovely sense of humor. We will miss her at Birchwood Hills.
Matt and Sue Arjeski
February 18, 2018 at 9:40 pmOur most heartfelt sympathies to all of the Dalton’s. We’ll always remember Aunt Jean as a gentle and generous lady, she will be missed by so many friends and family. Rest in eternal peace.
Barbara Jean “BJ” Nienstedt Buttell
February 19, 2018 at 11:02 amWe shared the same name. You chose me to be your flower girl in your wedding in 1950 and so began a friendship that lasted a life time. Trips to Lansing were always fun. We shared a love of reading and passed it on in a school library. You always were interested in our AF life and travels.When we got back to MI, Lansing was a must. So many memories to hold onto. Thank you. Love and peace to you now.
Julie Picot
March 8, 2018 at 6:38 pmJean Dalton was and is a beautiful spirit. She was warm and always gave me a sense of peace. I met her through a story I wrote on her work with refugees at St. Vincent Catholic Charities. She was so humble and gracious. From that point on I felt a special connection with Jean and we talked from time to time. I was blessed to have had this woman enter my life. What a wonderful person who did so much good in this world. – And now I wonder if we were related as my Grandmother’s Mother was an O’Brien who lived in Detroit.
Michelle (Vincent ) Tavakoli
March 10, 2018 at 11:13 pmAlways admired Jean Dalton all my life. First as a neighborhood kid on N. Foster Avenue where her boys me and my sister’s . Melissa ( classmate with Jim Jr.) and their cousins the Donaldsons , who lived next door to us car pooled to Resurrection School. Jean was a lovely snd gracious lady, mom, neighbor and and librarian at Resurrection. My mom, June Vincent , also so loved and admIred her. Thought her a lovely woman who possessed intelligence, grace, a winning and loving smile and always willing to help out others. She always asked me when I saw her in these later years, when I’d see her at Mass, or elsewhere, how my dad was fairing. She contributed so much for her family, Resurrection church and Resurrection School and het country the disadvantaged and new to this country. She will be remembered and missed much. I want to let your family know I’m donating to St. Vincent DePaul in her memory. My family wishes you , her family, comfort and consolation in this your time of loss.