Lillian Jewell Delony

Lillian Delony of Decatur died February 22, 2021. She was 102.

A native Atlantan, Ms. Delony worked for Bland Terry Specialty Men's shoes her entire professional career, eventually serving as Vice President of Financial Operations. In an era when few women held such positions, she frequently traveled to the company's locations in fine department stores in New Orleans, Washington DC, New York, Atlanta and Tulsa, and oversaw the opening of a store in Phipps Plaza. She retired in 1982.

During World War II, Ms. Delony served as a WAC in the Women's Army Corp, where she was trained in map reading and land navigation. Towards the end of the war, she was responsible for signing soldiers' discharge papers. She ultimately achieved the rank of Captain.

After being honorably discharged, Ms. Delony volunteered as a Gray Lady with the Red Cross. She continued to volunteer throughout her life, working for more than 25 years with the Women's Auxiliary at Emory University Hospital. Additionally, she volunteered at Wesley Woods Terrace and Fernbank Natural History Museum.

Ms. Delony was also a musician, playing the piano, the violin and the viola. She played the violin with the Atlanta Community Orchestra, the DeKalb Community Orchestra, and the Agnes Scott Orchestra, She also played for the First Baptist Church of Decatur, where she was a member, as well as for the Men's Bible Class at the First Methodist Church of Atlanta. After she retired, she co-founded the Intermezzo String Quartet. With the help of two agents, the quartet played at weddings, parties and special events.

Ms. Delony loved dogs and cats, and walked her dogs in Decatur every day that weather permitted. She once attributed the length of her life to this practice, as well as to the love of her pets.

Ms. Delony is survived by two nieces: Shawn Sudia and her husband Paul Skehan, and Shelly Sudia and her husband Terry Spahr. She is also survived by two grand-nephews, Matthew Sudia and Alex DeVitry, as well as a cousin, Anne McCranie.

Due to the pandemic, a memorial service for Ms. Delony will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Salvation Army. A.S. Turner and Sons Funeral and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.