Jeanne M. Dalton de la O

Jeanne Marie Dalton-de la O passed away on Friday, October 17, 2025, while surrounded by the love and support of her children. She is now free from pain and all health issues, going home to be with her Savior.

Jeanne was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 24, 1947. She moved to Madison, Wisconsin in 1957, later graduating from Madison West High School in 1965. Jeanne went to college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. While attending the UW in the '60s, Jeanne marched in antiwar protests on campus and was an active participant in the St. Paul's Catholic Student Center prayer group, where she made meaningful connections locally and grew deeply in her faith. She graduated with the class of 1970, majoring in Language and Literature.

After having worked in department stores like J. C. Penney, Jeanne was able to use her education in a line of work that she was truly passionate about: teaching children. In the early 1970s, she began her work as a substitute teacher, teaching at Our Lady Queen of Peace, Our Lady of the Lake, and Edgewood. Nuns, staff, and students alike noted Jeanne's caring nature, enthusiasm for the written word, and her appreciation for art, encouraging her students to be creative.

A world traveler at heart, Jeanne made her way through Ireland seven times in her life (including on her honeymoon!) and also cherished her time with friends in France, Italy, Israel, and Mexico. Her curious nature and love of learning fueled her desire to immerse herself in whatever local culture she found herself in, whether that meant going out of her comfort zone to a pub to hear the local traditional music by a live band, bartering at night markets, wandering through museums, or dancing in a ceili. With respect for a wide range of cultures around the globe, she was always eager to learn a new language, having studied French, Russian, Gaelic, and Spanish.

In the 1980s, Jeanne worked as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service, where she met the love of her life, Don, whom she married in July of 1984. After the birth of her first daughter, Jeanne became a homemaker, being active in all three of her children's lives and volunteering for "Lunch Duty" while they attended elementary and middle school at Queen of Peace. Many Friday afternoons in the 1990s were also spent at the local YMCA, helping to take care of and supervise small children and babies in the nursery.

Jeanne was truly a gentle soul whose love for children never stopped when she left the classroom. She happily cared for many dogs, birds, and cats throughout her life. A devout Catholic, she attended church religiously, often going to daily mass in her later years and having connections with multiple parishes. Her passion for learning extended to her faith; her loved ones know that she could always tell you which saint's feast day it was. She put her faith to practice by showing acceptance and empathy to others, and donating time and money to charitable organizations, especially those centered on providing food and basic necessities for underprivileged communities.

She took pride in her Irish heritage while also showing great respect for the varied ethnic background of her children and her husband's family. She supported her kids every step of the way, from encouraging them to study three languages consecutively, minding and playing with their pets, being the sole mom at their heavy metal shows in dimly-lit late-night dives and talking of their hard work and accomplishments, to taking them all over the country for dance competitions and modeling gigs and cheering them on at story slams.

When not at church or traveling, Jeanne was never happier than when she was reading, baking, cooking, swimming at Salmo Pond in Cross Plains, or watching a wide variety of television and film with her family (though Cubs games and figure skating competitions were two of her particular favorites). She had a gift for storytelling and creative writing, including poetry.

Jeanne was preceded in death by her parents, Robert J. "Bob" Dalton and Jean M. Dalton (Hoppe); her sister, Kathleen "Kathi" Burwell; as well as her many cherished aunts and uncles. She is survived by her husband, Donald de la O; her daughter, Kathleen (Puja); son, Bobby; daughter, Maria; nephews, Shawn (Angie) Burwell and Ryan (Cindy) Burwell; as well as beloved grand-nieces and nephew, cousins, and friends.

A visitation will be held at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CHURCH, 401 S. Owen Drive, Madison from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 30, 2025, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Mourners are encouraged (though certainly not required) to wear their best green attire or accessories, as that was Jeanne's favorite color.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com <http://www.gundersonfh.com>.

Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.

(608) 831-6761