Diane Delanty March 31, 1947 - February 20, 2026

78, of Brentwood, Missouri, died on Friday, February 20, 2026, after battling medical issues from a fall. Born March 31, 1947, Diane grew up in St. Louis and graduated from Cleveland High School in 1965. Recently, she cherished reconnecting with classmates and attending her 60‑year reunion.

Diane was known for her sense of humor, quick wit, kind heart, and thoughtful nature. She loved crossword puzzles, reading, long walks, renting DVDs from the library, cat sitting, and catching up with loved ones on her landline phone. A devoted supporter of St. Louis arts and sports, over the years she held memberships with the Cardinals, Blues, Science Center, and The Repertory Theatre. Her sharp mind and attention to detail shaped a successful career managing offices in the insurance, dental, and collection fields.

Diane was the beloved wife — “princess and queen” — of Dan James Delanty, Sr., with whom she shared 50 joyful years until his passing in 2022. She cared for him faithfully during his final years, and together they built a life filled with travel, friendships, and memorable adventures — from Gulf Shores, Marathon Island, and Cardinal spring training camps to Las Vegas, the Kentucky Derby, and countless road trips where getting lost became part of the fun. They enjoyed a wide network of cherished friends and were especially close with their Manderly Dr. neighbors, who became like family.

In 1974, Diane embraced her role as stepmother to Dan Jr. and Dawn Delanty, welcoming them into her life with enthusiasm and love. She filled their visits from Rockford, IL with trips to Florida, the Lake of the Ozarks, Johnson’s Shut‑Ins State Park, Cardinals games, the Zoo, Grant’s Farm, and any place serving Budweiser. Her joy grew when Dan Jr. married Denise Collopy and their son Dylan was born in 1989. Diane became a devoted step‑grandmother, never missing a milestone and always remembering every birthday and holiday with cards and gifts. She treasured the family’s frequent visits to St. Louis, especially dinners at The Trainwreck Saloon in Rock Hill. Her love expanded even further with the arrivals of “The Greats” (as she called them) Eli, Deacon, and Camryn in 2017, 2018, and 2021, and she embraced each of them with the same devotion and delight she brought to every friend and family relationship.

Though an only child, Diane was embraced by Dan Sr.’s large family and formed close bonds with her many in‑laws, nieces, and nephews, many living in the St. Louis area.

She was preceded in death by her husband Dan Delanty Sr., parents Patrice Nahm and Bert C. Nahm (Beverly survives), in-laws Cecelia and J. Dan Delanty, brother-in-law Tom (Michelle), stepson Kevin Delanty, and cousin Sharon (Nahm) Bitter who was like a sister to Diane.

Diane is survived by her stepchildren Dan (Denise) Delanty Jr., and Dawn Delanty, grandson Dylan (Hillary) Delanty, brother-in-law Stephen Delanty, brother and sister-in- laws Paul and Norma Delanty and Ed and Sue Delanty, step great grandchildren Eli, Deacon, and Camryn, dear aunt, great aunt, cousin, cousin-in-law, and friend of many.

Diane will be remembered for the small acts of kindness that added up to a lifetime of love — the cards, the calls, the visits, the thoughtful gestures that made her unforgettable. Most of all, she will be remembered for her generous heart, her bright spirit, and her gift for bringing laughter, joy, and fun into every room she entered.

Services: A Celebration of Life will be held to honor Diane on Saturday, March 28, 2026 from 1:00pm – 2:30pm at the Forest Park Visitor Center – Trolley Room, 5595 Grand Dr., Forest Park, St. Louis, MO.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Longmeadow Rescue Ranch, 480 Josephs Rd., Union, MO 63084. (Flower deliveries not permitted to Forest Park Visitor Center.)