JEANNE A DREDGE

Jeanne (Ward) Dredge, age 99, peacefully joined her loved ones in heaven on June 22, 2022.  She was born on April 28, 1923, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to Anna and James Ward.  She graduated from Liberty High School and Bethlehem Business College, then worked as a legal secretary in Bethlehem until she met the love of her life, Albert Dredge.  They married in 1950, moved to Wilmington, DE, then Pottstown, PA, and settled to raise their family in Westwood, NJ.  She returned to her career as a legal secretary in New Jersey, eventually retiring to Seaford, DE in 1988.

 Throughout her life, Jeanne was dedicated to service of others.  She cared for her parents and brother, as well as volunteered in the communities where she lived as a Girl Scout Leader, active church member, and volunteer for over 20 years at Delaware Hospice.  She initiated a widow support group at Our Lady of Lourdes following the loss of her husband, shortly after their move to Delaware, establishing many wonderful and lasting friendships.

Most of all, Jeanne loved being with her family, living with the Wrights in Delmar for many of her later years, and visiting PA and NJ to attend many family reunions and celebrations.  She loved to travel, visiting casinos up and down the East coast, often meeting up with siblings and friends to share the fun.  Family vacations were a favorite, including beach trips to Wildwood Crest and the Outer Banks, fall foliage trips to New England, adventures to Ireland, the Canadian Rockies, cruises to the Caribbean and Bermuda, and even Nashville as recently as 2018 to celebrate the 21st birthdays of her youngest twin granddaughters.

Jeanne is predeceased by her loving husband, both of her parents, and her brother, James.  She is survived by her three daughters, Patricia (John) Heimall, Kathleen (Herbert) Wright and Diane (William) Loughery as well as her grandchildren Jennifer (Corey), Jonathan (Lauren), Jessica (Michael), Dawn (Don), Phillip (Kate), Jeffrey  (Kelly), Lisa (Josh), Katelyn (Matt), Kristin (Mario), Erika and Emily.  She was blessed with 19 great grandchildren Maxwell, Alexander, Nicholas, Erin, Luke, Lily, Mark, Roy, Jacob, Larry, Carter, Jake, Ryan, Lucas, Rachel, Anabel, Calvin, Ella, and Madelyn. She is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.   She also loved animals - her dog, grand-dogs, great grand-cats and great grand-dogs throughout the years.

As her family grew, Jeanne’s legendary baking skills and warm hospitality were shared, hosting numerous showers, parties and reunions with family and friends.  Jeanne further shared her warmth and love by creating colorful afghans for each of her children and grandchildren, along with unique baby blankets for each of the great-grandchildren.  Her artistic talents blossomed during her retirement years as she explored watercolor painting and ceramics. 

A viewing will be held at Cranston Funeral Home, 300 North Shipley Street in Seaford, DE on Tuesday, June 28th from 9:30am to 10:30am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial held at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 528 East Stein Highway in Seaford, DE at 11am.  Interment will be at Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery, 26223 Seaford Road (Alternate 13) in Blades, DE.  Those attending are encouraged to wear blue in honor of Jeanne’s smiling Irish blue eyes. If you are unable to attend, live streaming is available at Facebook.com/OLLSEAFORDDE.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Manor House, for their compassionate and loving care over the past 6 years.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the “Employee Appreciation Fund,” Manor House, 1001 Middleford Road, Seaford, DE, 19973, or to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 528 East Stein Highway, Seaford, DE, 19973.

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