Jeannette (Jeanne) Sledz Moore, 87, died peacefully in hospice care on December 31 after an 18-month series of health challenges that she addressed with characteristic optimism and a team of loving caregivers. Born in Cleveland, OH to Helen and Edward Sledz, Jeanne moved to Wilmington, Delaware with her parents in 1950. She entered St. Elizabeth’s High School as a sophomore, and graduated in 1953. She attended St. Joseph’s College in Emmitsburg, MD, and spent her summers honing her secretarial skills at DuPont.
In 1957, Jeanne married Dennis Donovan and raised six children and five Old English sheepdogs in a rollicking home with Johnny Mathis on the stereo, Coca-Cola in the refrigerator and a lot of laughter. Jeanne warmly welcomed everyone to the Pecksniff Road home where the Donovans hosted legendary Sherwood Park Swim Team sleepovers, Halloween parties and Christmas gatherings. Once the kids were all in school, Jeanne re-entered the workforce and spent 20 years as a secretarial administrator in DuPont’s Agricultural Chemicals Department. Her marriage to Dennis ended in divorce.
Jeanne met Daniel Moore at DuPont, they married in 1979, and settled in Elkton, Maryland in a beautiful home with acres of gardens that they enthusiastically designed and cultivated. After retiring, Jeanne and Dan travelled in the United States and abroad, visiting gardens and historical properties. She took up quilting, hosted gala family holidays, and spoiled her grandchildren. Jeanne also took a parttime position as the secretarial administrator of St. Thomas’s Episcopal Parish in Newark, DE, kicking off another 25-year career at the vibrant church community. She spent countless hours volunteering in their gardens until health problems prevented her from carrying bags of topsoil and flats of pansies.
Jeanne was predeceased by her parents and baby brother Edward. She is survived by her loving husband Daniel, her children Erin Donovan (Robert Goodson), Kathleen Donovan, Patrick Donovan, Michael Donovan (Tricia Haney), Kevin Donovan (Beth), Maureen Donovan (Bill Lenihan), Heather Voultos (John), eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The family wishes to thank her loving caregivers Gwen Quailes, Leslie Mcavaney and Dorethe White. A liturgy celebrating Jeanne’s life will be held January 20 at 10 am at St. Thomas’s Episcopal Parish, 276 S. College Avenue, Newark, DE 19711, where family and friends may begin visiting at 9 am. She would chuckle if we all wore green, her favorite color! In lieu of flowers, the family recommends donations to St. Thomas’s Grounds Committee in her name.