Jean Marie (Bell) Dellies

Jean Marie (Bell) Dellies, 62, passed away in Altus, Oklahoma on Wednesday, February 22, 2024. She was born on Thursday, November 16, 1961, in Cleveland, Ohio to her surviving parents, Earl and Claudia Cliffel. Survived by her beloved husband, Stephen Dellies; her children, Jaime Bell, Brady and wife, Kennedi Bell, Aviana and husband, Ryan Yeager; her siblings, Michael Cliffel and wife, Sonia, Margaret Bowen husband, Craig, David Cliffel, and Steven Cliffel and wife, Jodi Lynn; along with several nieces, nephews, and friends. Jean was proceeded in death by her sister-in-law, Colleen Cliffel.

Jean was truly one of God’s angels. She lived her life in service to others by providing health care in the nursing field. There was nothing she enjoyed more than meeting people and continuing her education. She began her formal education by graduating Cum Laude from the State University of New York at Buffalo with a BS degree in nursing. She entered the US Air Force in January of 1985, serving at Andrews AFB, Maryland, Tyndal AFB, Florida, and Aviano AB, Italy. While on active duty, she held a variety of positions including Base Health Promotion Officer at both Aviano and Tyndal, nurse manager of the Combined Surgical Services Clinic at Tyndall, and the director of Medical Education at Andrews. Along the way, she found time to earn her master’s degree in nursing at the University of Maryland at Baltimore. She completed her military service, retiring as a major in July 2000. She continued her medical service as an Interim Healthcare Home Health Nurse, then as an educator at Bay Medical Center, and finally as the chief of the Employee Clinic at Jackson County Memorial Hospital. Her love of learning led her to the University of Alabama School of Medicine, where she graduated with honors in 2008. She always talked about her patients as if they were family, especially her geriatric patients.

In addition to learning and helping others, Jean had a wide variety of hobbies and interests which included reading, craft making, drawing, star gazing, cooking, hiking, diving, photography, and gardening, just to name a few. She loved adventures, taking advantage of hiking several National Parks. She would routinely listen to podcasts on various outdoor adventures and dreamed of traveling the world to see all God’s wonders. Jean was also very active in the Catholic church, offering her time to teach religious education classes, help with fundraisers, and cook meals for visiting priests.

In Oklahoma, a visitation is set for 6:00 - 8:00 PM on Friday, February 23, 2024, at Kincannon Funeral Home, 3020 North Main Street in Altus, OK. A Funeral Mass will take place at 10:00 AM on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 1500 Falcon Road in Altus, OK with Reverend Father Joseph David officiating. Arrangements are under the care of Kincannon Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

In New York, friends and family may call from 4:00 - 7:00 PM on Thursday, February 29, 2024, at the Kevin W. Dougherty Funeral Home, 21 Big Tree Street in Livonia, NY. A Funeral Mass will take place at 10:00 AM on Friday, March 1, 2024, at St. Matthews Catholic Church, 6591 Richmond Mills Road in Livonia, NY with Reverend Father William Laird officiating. Interment and Military Honors will occur immediately following Jean’s Funeral Mass at St. Michaels Cemetery on Shelly Road in Livonia, NY. Arrangements are under the care of Kevin W. Dougherty Funeral Home, Inc.

Memorial Contributions may be made to: the American Red Cross, PO Box 37839, Boone, IA 50037-0839, or The Salvation Army, 615 Slaters Lane, Alexandria, VA 22314. To share a memory or a condolence, please visit: www.kincannonfuneralhome.com or www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com.