Bonnie Jean Dalbey

On Easter morning, April 17, 2022, the Lord took from this earth Bonnie Jean Dalbey, loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, Scottish Terrier enthusiast, and an amazing sewing and smocking artist.

She succumbed to complications from stomach cancer and was a fighter to the end. Bonnie is survived by her husband, Steven Dalbey; daughter, Lindsay Dalbey; granddaughters, Larissa Dalbey and Tatum Dalbey-Gossner; twin sister, Barbara Tillman and brother, Russell DeLuca.

Bonnie was born in Newark, New Jersey on September 6, 1949 to Harold Joseph DeLuca and Jessie Wilson (Livingstone) DeLuca. She spent her formative years in Colorado Springs, Colorado where she graduated from William Mitchell High School and Colorado State University. She later received her Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Colorado.

She was a dedicated educator, teaching many years as she travelled with her husband of 43 years to various locations during his Air Force career. She culminated her teaching career at Sangster Elementary School in Springfield, Virginia where her focus was on children with Autism.

Bonnie raised, bred, and showed Scottish Terriers for over 40 years. She was a member of the American Kennel Club and served on the board of the Scottish Terrier Club of America. Additionally, she was a member of the Scottish Terrier Club of Greater Washington D.C., and the Scottish Terrier Club of Tampa Bay, Florida. Bonnie had a flair for dress making, smocking, embroidery, and all types of needlework. Bonnie was an active member of the Alexandria Fine Stitchers, Martha Washington Smocking Guild, the Smocking Arts Guild of America, the American Sewing Guild, the Southern Maryland Smocking Guild (Served as President last year), the Yard Barn Knitting Group, and the Embroidery Guild of America.

Bonnie taught multiple classes to all the guilds that she belonged. Her philanthropic endeavors included smocking Wee Care gowns for the preemie isolate at INOVA Fairfax Hospital, dressed dolls for the Salvation Army and ECHO for Christmas, made whimsical pillowcases for children in the INOVA Children’s Hospital surgical ward, made isolate pads for Shady Grove and Alexandria Hospitals, made dresses for girls in Africa, made duffel bags for children in foster homes to transport their clothing (instead of black garbage bags), she made favors for the National Smocking Conventions, and she made favors, prizes and decorations for the local and national Scottie Dog Conventions.

Bonnie must be one of the Lord’s chosen to be called to eternal life on Easter Sunday. She’s truly one of a kind and much loved by everyone that met her. We love you and can’t wait to be with you again.

The life of Bonnie Jean Dalbey will be celebrated at a memorial ceremony on May 7, 2022 at 11:00. It will be held at the Demaine Funeral Home at 10565 Main Street, Fairfax, Virginia. There is plenty of parking and it has wheelchair access. There will be a luncheon following the ceremony.