Rebecca "Becky" (Paczesny) Delahanty

Rebecca (Becky) Delahanty passed away on April 23, 2024, surrounded by family, in her home in Naples, FL, at the age of 82.  Becky was assisted in her final days by a dedicated team from Avow Hospice, especially Giselle, Catalina, Viona, and several others.

Becky was born in South Bend, IN, in 1941, the daughter of Raymond F. Paczesny and Ann Marie Batsleer Paczesny.  She met her husband of 61 years, Edward, at St. Joseph’s High School in South Bend and they were married in 1963 at The Basilica of the Sacred Heart at Notre Dame, IN.  During their marriage, they lived briefly in East Hartford and Windsor, CT; Northbrook, IL; 15 years in Plymouth and Wayzata, MN; and another 15 years in Atlanta, GA.  In 2000, they retired to Naples, FL.  During these early days in retirement, they lived part time in other places:  Hilton Head Island, SC; the Cliffs at Glassy, SC; and St. Joseph, MI.  In 2011, they purchased a villa in Mishawaka, IN, where they have been spending their summers and the Notre Dame football season.

She is survived by her husband, Edward Lawrence; son, David Edward; daughter, Debra Ann; granddaughters, Avery Delahanty and Irish Delahanty; grandson, Fin Delahanty; and great granddaughter Cassie Delahanty.  She enjoyed a close relationship with numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews, mostly in the South Bend, IN, area.

Becky earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, MN; her Master’s Degree from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN; and her PH.D from Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA.  All of her degrees were in the field of Education, primarily in teaching the gifted and talented, and in administration and supervision.  Her honors include Georgia Leadership Certificate L7, Administration and Supervision; membership in Kappa Delta Pi; International Honor Society in Education; and several editions of Who’s Who.

While Becky taught, she was also the Superintendent of the Buford, GA, City Schools.  During her time there, they showed a 12% increase in test scores, expanded parent and community involvement, and a lower dropout rate during the last half of the 1990’s.  She raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant money during her years as coordinator of staff development and textbook adoption while at Buford. After leaving Buford, she was an assistant professor at Georgia State University until retiring in 2000.  Many of her students were active teachers and continued to consult with her.

Retirement did not stop her interest in Education.  Becky was named a member of the University of St. Thomas College of Applied Professional Studies Advisory Board in 2000.  She and her husband also established an Endowed Scholarship for minorities majoring in education, and they are also members of the William & Elizabeth Finn Heritage Society at the University of St. Thomas.  They were named members of the University of Notre Dame College of Science Advisory Council in 2010.  Ed and Becky have also sponsored a full scholarship for a woman’s softball student athlete at Notre Dame for many years.

Becky was also an active member of the Christ Child Society in Naples.  Co-President, Kathleen Flynn Fox, acknowledged Becky in this way:  “Becky is meticulous in her work and is gracious in her manner.  She is an inspiration and an example to all of her for generously sharing her gifts of time, talent, and treasure.  Thank you, Becky, for all you have done and continue to do for the Christ Child Society and the underprivileged children we serve in Collier County.”

Becky served on the Collier’s Reserve Homeowner’s Association Board from 2004-2007 and served as the President of the Board for 2 years.

Her three major interests in life were her family, friends, and education.  She was also an avid bridge player, gardener, walker, and the jigsaw puzzle queen!  She also spent many hours tracing her Belgian and Polish ancestry and her husband’s Irish and Belgian ancestries.

Becky’s infectious smile and sense of humor will be sorely missed by both family and friends.  She was so easy to love!  She loved corny old jokes and any old songs by Neil Diamond, John Denver, Elton John and many other performers from that era.  She could sing along with gusto!

For on-line condolences, please visit the Kaniewski Funeral Home Website: www.kaniewski.com.

Becky’s funeral services information,  both in Naples & South Bend, will be forthcoming.

The family requests that any tributes in the form of contributions to:

Dr. Rebecca & Edward Delahanty Endowed Scholarship

c/o Executive Director of Development

University of St. Thomas Mail DEV

2115 Summit Ave

St. Paul, MN. 55105-1090

OR

The Delahanty Family Endowment for Excellence in Mathematics

c/o University of Notre Dame

College of Science, Office of the Dean

215 Jordan Hall of Sciences

Notre Dame, IN. 46556

OR

Avow Hospice

1095 Whipporwill Dr.

Naples, FL. 34105

OR

Avowcares.org

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