Darleen Emma Deleski of Sag Harbor died at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital on Feb. 13. The cause was a bacterial infection. She was 73.
Her family called her “Doll” and “Grammy” and said she will be remembered as the “heart of the family” and a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. “Her love, kindness, and generosity will be cherished always,” they wrote.Mrs. Deleski was a homemaker who was involved in the school PTA, Girl Scouts, and the Sag Harbor Fire Department’s Ladies Auxiliary. Her family said she enjoyed cooking — spaghetti and meatballs were a favorite — and always made the holidays special.
Throughout her life, Mrs. Deleski coped with the challenges of multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, but she never let it stop her. Her motto, her family said, was “never explain, never complain.”
Born in Lewiston, N.Y., on June 23, 1948, to Bob and Shirley Gay, she grew up on a farm there and moved to Sag Harbor as a child when her father took a job at the Bulova Watchcase Factory. She graduated from Pierson High School.
She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Peter Deleski Jr., along with three children, Karine Deleski of East Hampton, Peter Deleski of Sag Harbor, and Paul Deleski of Orlando, Fla. She also leaves five grandchildren, Brittany, Rebecca, Mitchell, Emma, and Kate, and a great-granddaughter, Rilynn.
Mrs. Deleski was cremated. Her family has suggested memorial donations to Sag Harbor Helpers, P.O. Box 933, Sag Harbor 11963.
