Janice Marie "Van der Maelen" Dell

Janice Marie Dell (Van der Maelen) died peacefully on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Yale-New Haven Hospital, York St. Campus with her loving family by her side. She was born September 12, 1947 to Robert and Marie Van der Maelen (Martino). She was raised in Hamden, CT, and attended St. Mary's School and Yale School of Nursing. She was predeceased by her husband, John L. Dell, Sr., and her faithful German Shepherd, Madeline (Maddie) Dell. Her absence will be felt by her brother, Robert (Mary Lou) Van der Maelen, Jr., her lifelong friend Camille Lamothe, her children Charrisse (Gary) Nevola, Sr., John L.(Lauren) Dell, Jr., Garrett (Laura) Dell, Caitlin (Ryan) Buonocore, Matthew (Marianna) Dell, and grandchildren Natalie (Yassine) Moussaid, Gracie Nevola, Jocelin Dell, Gary Nevola, Jr., Garrett Dell, Emma Dell, Luca Iannucci, Leo Iannucci, Derek Buonocore, Jaxon Buonocore, many cousins and nieces, and her mixed breed, Lulu Daisy.

Janice earned her nursing license from Yale School of Nursing in 1968. In that same year, she began her work life as a neonatal nurse at Yale Hospital. When she and John started their family, she put her work aside to be a full-time homemaker, and lovingly mothered five children. When the time was right, she returned to work at Miller Memorial Library in Hamden. She maintained her nursing license throughout her life.

Janice was a patriot, a loving wife, and devoted Christian. She supported her husband, a Vietnam Veteran who passed from exposure to Agent Orange, throughout his medical journey and battle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. She was proud to support the Gold Star Wives of America. She donated to many charities, set up scholarships in her husband's honor, donated blood throughout her own medical struggles, and made countless actions of good will.

Janice/Nonni was an extraordinary cook and baker, to the extent that her children would strongly encourage her to open her own business. She always politely declined, but knowing she would decline due to her introverted nature, their strategy of positive reinforcement was to save the goodies for themselves. Among the family favorites were chocolate eclairs, rosemary focaccia, anginetti, cranberry walnut bars, precisely layered and garnished lasagna, and many more treats to list. All were made from scratch, often in Bennington Pottery stoneware, a perfectly slow-cooked intuitive blend of art, scientific precision, Virgo intricacy, wooden spoons, an abundance of garlic, and lots of love.

Janice was kind, stubborn, tenacious, patient, loving, unceasingly independent, frugal and quiet. She never wavered from any of her principles. She led her family by example, with grace, and with a few careful words. She was an avid sports fan. Her favorite teams were the Boston Red Sox and the UConn Women's basketball team.

Aside from cooking and baking, she enjoyed reading, sewing on her Bernina, savvy shopping, coupon clipping, knee-slapping laughter, wordplay and Riunite Lambrusco. She had a remarkable green thumb for herbs and flowers. She loved tea time with friends and family. Her unexpected, humorous punchlines betrayed her conservative appearance. She was a salt of the earth woman, whom we all admired for her unbreakable spirit and intuitive gifts.

Janice's family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday, March 1st from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Washington Memorial Funeral Home, 4 Washington Ave., North Haven. Her funeral cortege will depart the funeral home on Monday, March 2nd at 9:30 a.m. for a Mass of Christian Burial which will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church (St. Paul VI) Parish, 2819 Whitney Ave., Hamden. Burial will follow in Centerville Cemetery, Hamden. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Gold Star Wives of America in her honor. www.washingtonmemorialfh.com