Jean Dietz

She was born March 10, 1933, to James Patrick Gilroy and Jean Christine Parker in Johnstown, PA. She grew up in the small borough of Windber, PA, where her father owned a grocery store, and early in life she worked at the family business. She lost her mother at the age of nine, but when her father later remarried, she was happy to gain the siblings she had missed to that point.

Jean earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Seton Hill College, and she began her teaching career in Long Island, NY. She eventually moved to Sarasota, FL, and met then married William (“Bill”) Earl Dietz, Jr., another educator, in 1964.

After spending time in Gainesville, FL, cementing her affinity for the University of Florida while Bill pursued his Ph.D., the couple then settled in Rockledge with their son, William. Jean later returned to the classroom as a student at the University of Central Florida, where she received her Masters in Education. A lifelong educator, she was employed by the Brevard County Public Schools for many years at MILA Elementary as a reading specialist. She was named Teacher of the Year twice and took great pride in her successful work writing grants to benefit the children at that Title I school before retiring to spend more time with Bill and her grandchildren.

She loved to travel, with Europe, South America, Australia, Hawaii, and Alaska among her more exotic destinations. She enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s soccer games, scouting activities, and school events, regularly “adopting” their friends as honorary grandchildren. She headed or volunteered to act as chair for various social and philanthropic organizations until very recently. She was a consummate hostess, throwing multiple Christmas parties every season, with other group meetings and holiday parties regularly held at her home during the rest of the year. She was creative and imaginative, crafting often with her friends. She loved a bargain, and without Jean’s purchases stock of the Dollar Tree will likely drop in price over the coming months!

Jean was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She enjoyed spending time with all her loved ones – related by blood or not, and she was independent until the end. She brought life and energy to any occasion, always making people smile. She never met a stranger. When she loved you or you were her friend, there was nothing she wouldn’t do for you – whether you were Catholic or Atheist, Democrat or Republican, Gator or Seminole. She touched so many people throughout her life.

She was a parishioner of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Melbourne, FL, and she greatly enjoyed fellowship with her prayer group friends there.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; a step-sister, Mona Hartman; and step-brother, Tim Vitzenty. She will be missed and lovingly remembered by her son, William J. Dietz, and daughter-in-law, Monica Kiralyfalvi, of Winter Park, FL; three grandchildren, Danielle Dietz of Washington, D.C., Stephanie Dietz of Atlanta, GA, and William (“Will”) Dietz of Orlando, FL; step-sister, Janice Harrison of Ocala, FL; multiple nieces and nephews; and all the extended “family” that she collected over her lifetime.

A visitation will be held Monday, February 3, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 5655 Stadium Pkwy, Melbourne, Florida, with a Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 11:00 a.m. and a reception to follow. A private entombment ceremony will take place at Florida Memorial Gardens in Rockledge.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Jean’s name to the Florida Alpha Delta Kappa District IV Teacher Mini-Grant program, a project Jean helped to coordinate over the last several years of her life that awards small grants to school teachers for special classroom projects. To donate, please make your check payable to “FL ADK District IV” and write “Jean Dietz mini-grant donation” on the memo line of the check. Send your check to Florida Alpha Delta Kappa, c/o Julie Johnson, 1244 Winding Meadows Road, Rockledge, FL 32955.