Mary Eleanor Dalton

Mary Eleanor Dalton was born on December 12, 1932, on a cold winter’s day in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. But, as those who knew her well could attest, her presence felt like a warm spring day. Her smile would lighten a room on the darkest of days.

Mary’s life was not short on challenges, but she always managed to dwell on the positive. Whatever she did, she did fully, whether that was competing in college athletics (Temple University – Field Hockey and Basketball); following her husband, Russell Alan Dalton to his many postings as a United States Air Force spouse; raising her four children, Russell (Jr.), Beth, Dwight, and Jon; or teaching people how to save a life (American Red Cross Instructor).

Mary believed in the powers of community and grace. She showed her faith through volunteering. She was an active volunteer at Redlands Community Hospital, Redlands Meals on Wheels, The Lincoln Shrine, The Friends of A.K. Smiley Library, Redlands Footlighters Theater, and others. Mary was a committed member of the Inland Empire – Gold Star Wives of America, The American Association of University Women (Redlands Branch), and the Zonta Club of Redlands. She received the Redlands Woman of the Year in 1989 and the Mary Kimberly-Shirk Award of Excellence from Redlands Community Hospital in 2010.

Mary departed life peacefully on March 24, 2022, at home surrounded by family. She will be dearly missed by her four children; her in-laws Lucille Dalton and Brian Henning; her four grandchildren- John Dalton, Julia Henning, Dominique Estrada (Joshua) and Brianne Dalton (Vitaliy Kubushyn) and her three great-grandchildren- Isabella Estrada, Olivia Estrada, and Logan Kubushyn; her two surviving brothers- John (Grace) and Richard Gosnay; and a host of nieces and nephews, family, and friends. Mary will be laid to rest at Valley Forge Memorial Gardens in Pennsylvania next to her beloved husband.

Mary’s family would like to thank Redlands Community Hospital Hospice for the loving care they gave Mary in her final days. Mary’s last words “Thank You,” were spoken to a hospice nursing assistant.

A celebration of Mary’s life will be held on April 2, 2022, at Redlands Footlighters Theater at 1810 Barton Road, Redlands, CA from 1 pm until 3 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you help Mary’s kindness and compassion continue by volunteering for the organization of your choice or donating to one of the organizations that Mary loved.