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Melba Dean Obituary
October 16, 1938 - December 31, 2022
Melba Dean was born in New York City, NY on October 16, 1938, the only child of Arturo Dall'acqua and Margherita (Berruti) Dall'acqua. She grew up on the West Side of Manhattan and at the family summer home in Amawalk, Westchester County, New York. She graduated from Washington Irving High School and attended Hunter College. In 1961 she met Richard Leland Dean, formerly of Fullerton, NE who was then living in New York City. They were married on June 9, 1962 in the Roman Catholic Church of Our Savior. After three more years in Manhattan, they moved in 1965 to Ridgefield, NJ, and in 1968 to Leonia, NJ.
In Leonia, Melba was active in local politics and was a devoted member of the Leonie Volunteer Ambulance Corps. When Richard's company relocated to Norfolk, VA, the family settled in Virginia Beach, VA. Melba was a member of the Larkspur Garden Club and continued her education, earning an Associates Degree from Tidewater Community College and a Bachelor's Degree from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA.
At the time of retirement in 1997, the Deans moved to Omaha to live near friends and family. They became members of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, where Melba became active in the Catholic Daughters Court and as a member of the Marthas, a funeral lunch group.
Survived by husband, Richard "Dick"; children: John N. II of Glenham NY, Jane A. Brown (John) of Omaha, and David A., also of Omaha; 4 grandchildren: Robert A. Brown of Omaha, Christopher W. of the USAF in Abilene TX, Olivia Dean and Nicholas Dean, both of Glenham, NY; great-grandson, Andrew Leland Brown of Omaha.
VISITATION: Friday, January 6th, at 10:30am at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, 11802 Pacific, followed by MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL at 11am. INTERMENT: Saturday, January 7th, at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to St. Robert Bellarmine School in Omaha, or the Earl Gregg Swem Library at the College of William and Mary, P.O. Box 8794, Williamsburg, Virginia 23187.
To view a live broadcast of the Mass, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the "View Live Cast" button at the top of the home page.
HEAFEY-HOFFMANN-DWORAK-CUTLER,
WEST CENTER CHAPEL
7805 W. Center Rd. 402-391-3900 | www.heafeyheafey.com
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Memories and Condolences
for Melba Dean
Sponsored by Heafey Hoffmann Dworak Cutler Mortuaries - West Center Chapel.
4 Entries
Phillip & Mary Ann Desn
January 4, 2023
We loved your Melba so very much! She was " the Italian Matriarch " and such a strong bright light in so many lives. Her presence and Grace and great memories will always be with you!
Love and prayers!
Frank Messina
January 4, 2023
Favorite time of my lfe in Leonia....working with the Dean's...serving with Dick....on the Leonia Town Council..and fun gatherings with Melba.
Mia Patunas
January 3, 2023
Jane praying for you and the whole family
Dean, Lorna and Tricia
January 2, 2023
Jane and family, we are praying for comfort and are with you in spirit. I will never forget your mom´s kindness when we relocated to Virginia. She went above and beyond to help us get settled in a new location. Finding a home in a good school district was so important and she really helped us research what we needed. She and your father went out of their way to include us in quit a few events and always made us feel like part of the family. Hold on to the happiness she gave you and all the cherished memories like hunting for Richard Ginori china! With love, the Payne´s
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