Margaret Agnes Rita Goupsa Dellinger, 91, passed away Feb. 6, 2021. She was born April 20, 1929, in Bayonne, New Jersey. She worked at the New York Stock Exchange and as a civilian for the U.S. Navy. In 1952, Margaret adventurously traveled 17 days on a freighter across the Pacific Ocean to marry U.S. naval officer Robert O. Dellinger, who was stationed in Yokosuka, Japan. After enjoying many exciting excursions while living in Japan, they returned to the U.S. in 1953. They arrived in California, and Margaret and Robert toured several national parks in the Great West before settling in Fort Wayne.
The couple had a daughter, Lisa, and a son, Jeffrey, in the 1950s. A devoted wife, wonderful mother, delightful conversationalist, and terrific cook, Margaret was very active in her children’s lives. She served as Brownie troop leader, Cub Scout den mother, and president of the Frances Slocum Elementary School PTA. Annual family vacations to visit Margaret’s New Jersey relatives also included trips to New York City and to the beaches in Wildwood, New Jersey.
Margaret earned a bachelor’s degree in business from St. Francis University. She taught secretarial skills at Ivy Tech College for several decades until her retirement. Margaret enjoyed spending wonderful summers at the family’s cottage on Crooked Lake in Angola. In retirement, Margaret and Robert traveled extensively, including several trips to Europe, Hawaii, and Alaska, spending winters on the Florida Gulf Coast. They greatly enjoyed the camaraderie of their bridge club, a dozen members who met regularly for decades.
Margaret was a faithful member of St. Jude Catholic Church for more than 67 years.
Margaret was married to Robert for 52 years until he passed away in 2004. She was predeceased by her parents, Dominic and Margaret Goupsa, her dear sister Anne Rinkus Heisler, and her beloved husband Robert. Margaret is survived by her devoted son, Jeffrey K. Dellinger, and daughter, Lisa Dellinger and her husband, Doug Wilson, of Indianapolis.
Public viewing will be Wednesday, February 10 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at FairHaven Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 6557 N. Clinton Street, open to everyone. Immediately following the viewing, a private service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Burial in Greenlawn Cemetery.