June S. Delano

89, passed away at home in Mt. Lebanon on May 12, 2014, after a lengthy struggle that weakened her body but never her mind. A pioneer in early childhood education, Dr. Delano earned her Ph.D. after raising five children and mentored graduate students until her 85th birthday. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, on June 8, 1924, she was a public school teacher until marrying Hubert W. Delano, a steel executive, and starting her own family. After resuming her career , Dr. Delano worked for the Pittsburgh Public Schools as an administrator of early childhood programs. When she retired from the school system, she became Carlow University's director of graduate education programs and later guided Ph.D. students for Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale. A longtime member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Dr. Delano was often part of accreditation teams that certified childcare centers in Pennsylvania. Besides her passion for children, Dr. Delano was a strong advocate for civil rights and the environment. She was a co-founder of the Mt. Lebanon League of Women Voters and co-founded Citizens for Community Relations to end housing discrimination in Mt. Lebanon. Her desire to preserve green spaces in the community led her to run for public office, becoming the first Democratic woman to win election to the Mt. Lebanon Commission in 1985. A co-founder of the Mt. Lebanon Nature Conservancy, she won state recognition for creating "School in the Park," a program whereby every third grader in Mt. Lebanon spends a day studying the environment in a local park. A warm smile for all and a passion for making life better for others, Dr. Delano will be missed by countless friends and family. Predeceased by her husband and son Stephen, she is survived by four children, three daughters-in-law, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Children: Jon & Jane Delano of Mt. Lebanon, Diane Delano of Mt. Lebanon, Chris & Cindy Delano of Nantucket, Michael Delano of Mt. Lebanon, Sarah Delano & Michael Marks of Greenfield. Grandchildren: Lindsay Monikowski (Sean) of Cranberry, Aaron Delano of Mt. Lebanon, Rachel Delano of Philadelphia, Katie & Benjamin Delano of Mt. Lebanon, Adam & Anna Marks of Greenfield. Great-grandchildren: June & Eve Monikowski of Cranberry. She is also survived by a sister, Dorothy Weed of Jacksonville FL, and a brother, Thomas Sprague of Concord, NH. Friends will be received at William Slater's II Funeral Service, 1650 Greentree Road, on Thursday, May 15, from 7 to 9 pm, and on Friday, May 16, from 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 8 pm. A Funeral & Celebration of Life will be held for June S. Delano on Saturday, May 17, at 10:00 am , at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1066 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon.