Dale Mountan

Dale Mountan

Rhinebeck - Dale Mountan 75, passed away peacefully after a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia on March 30th, 2021. Born June 5, 1945 in New York, N.Y., she was daughter of Sarah Leone Wilcox who preceded her in death Oct 2014. Dale attended St Ursulas in Kingston, N.Y. and later graduated from Kingston high school. Her tenacious spirit, innate creativity and passion to pursue her dreams carried her through several business ventures during her lifetime.

Dale was an accomplished horse woman. Her early years were spent earning many championships in the show ring. She learned trick riding and often led many Grand Entry parades as Rodeo Queen. She went on to master English Hunt Seat, Hunter Paces, Foxhunting, Dressage and even carriage driving. Dale, with her talented eye, became an antiques dealer specializing in sporting art and fine antiques.

Possessing architectural vision she then designed her home and barn fulfilling a lifelong dream of living on a horse farm with her equine veterinarian husband Paul. However, it was her intense love for animals which led her to become involved as a foster home for abandoned dogs with the organization Russell Rescue. This experience inspired her to open her very own rescue specifically for Jack Russell Terriers which she named Russell Refuge. She would run this nonprofit for 30 years placing over one thousand dogs in their forever homes and providing lifetime sanctuary to certain "unadoptables" known as her Starlight dogs. Dale took every opportunity to educate and promote rescue, focusing on supporting spay and neuter programs along with emphasizing ADOPT DON'T SHOP! It was her fierce dedication to abandoned and mistreated Jack Russells which brought her much respect with the rescue community. So much so that her rescue was invited annually to participate in Broadway Barks of NYC to promote adoption awareness and fundraise alongside its founders Mary Tyler Moore and Bernadette Peters. This would always be one of her favorite events for which she was grateful to take part. After being completely immersed in all things Jack Russell she realized she had never found a calendar honoring her favorite breed. So, Dale being an extraordinarily talented and resourceful woman, created her very own calendar in the basement of her home. The calendar would affectionately be published under the name Jasper Publications after her first Jack Russell. Accepting photographs from all over the world, containing original poems which she herself had written along with beautiful artwork gracing its pages from renowned artists the calendar was recognized and sold internationally for 20 years. It was a true labor of love.

Among Dales many contributions and accomplishments she was truly honored to make history as the first woman elected to hold a seat on the Dutchess County Agricultural Society and sit on the board of directors for the Dutchess County Fair. Serving on the Animal Welfare Committee she introduced the canine tent which focused on education and adoption awareness and proudly held the position of horse show manager from 1980 until her resignation in 2020.

Dale was wife of 47 years to Dr. Paul Mountan of Rhinebeck. She is loving mother of 5 children. Eldest son Derek Logan of Arizona, (wife Ana, grandchildren Santiago, Karina), son Todd Vellaccio of Ohio (wife Kara), daughter Lisa Twyman of Ohio (husband Jack, grandchildren Eben, Sarah, Heather) son David Mountan of Rhinebeck, daughter Cody Mountan of Rhinebeck (grandchildren Kit, David Feeney) Dale was known for her beauty, intellect, passion for ALL creatures and most importantly her kindness.

She leaves this world a better place. She will be greatly missed.

An open Celebration of Life will be held on June 12th at Full Sail Farm 3500 Rt 9G Rhinebeck, NY 12572. Service will begin at 10am. Leashed dogs welcome

Donations may be made in honor of Dale to: Russell Rescue Inc. Attention: Donations PO Box 4324 Lutherville, MD 21094-4324 OR Hospice of Medina County Western Reserve Hospice 5075 Windfall Rd Medina, Ohio 44256 (330-722-4771).