Mary Jane Dell 1928-2026

Born July 31, 1928, in Warren, she was the daughter of Clyde and Martha Rose Pritchard.

A 1946 graduate of Youngstown Rayen High School, Mary Jane later attended Penn Hall College in Cambridge, Pa., earning a degree in medical art.

Mary Jane dedicated much of her life to serving others. She served as director of the Niles Branch of the Red Cross and director of Niles Community Services, where her compassion and commitment to helping those in need touched countless lives until her retirement in 1990. Her spirit of service extended beyond her career through active involvement in Niles First Christian Church, Niles Rotary and the QUEST Club.

She found joy in life’s simple pleasures — reading crime mysteries and historical nonfiction, tending to her garden, baking pies, watching “The Golden Girls” and “The Andy Griffith Show” and above all, spending time with the family she cherished deeply.

Her beloved husband, Philip James Dell, whom she married May 23, 1953, preceded her in death on July 13, 1972.

Mary Jane leaves behind a loving family who will carry forward her kindness, strength and devotion: her son, Rex (Claudia) Dell of Lisbon; her daughter, Elizabeth “Betsie” (Michael) Arvin of Niles; four grandchildren, Aaron Torrence, Andrea (Joe) Catone, Phillip (Tricia) Dell and Noah Arvin; and seven great-grandchildren, Brenden Ritter, Delaney Grubbs, Joseph Catone, Vincent Catone, Patrick Dell, Lucas Dell and Alaina Dell.

A celebration of life will begin at 4 p.m. Saturday, July 11, 2026, at the Joseph Rossi and Sons Funeral Home in Niles. Guests are kindly invited to arrive starting at 3:30 p.m.

Contributions can be made to Niles Community Services, 401 Vienna Ave., Niles, OH 44446.

Arrangements are being handled by the Joseph Rossi and Sons Funeral Home in Niles.

(special notice)