Ann DeLany

Ann was the only child of Elbert C. and Empoe Ruth Fields. Born November 10, 1932, Ann grew up in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, graduating high school there in 1950, and attending William Woods College for Women in Fulton. After graduating with a degree in marketing, she moved to Dallas, Texas, where she was part of the Neiman-Marcus buyer’s training program and also attended the John Robert Powers School of Modeling. While living with family friends in Dallas, Ann was introduced to Kirk DeLany, whom she married in 1953. They had two sons, John and Frank. The family moved to Temple in 1965, where Ann made her home for the next 60 years.

A homemaker until their arrival in Temple, Ann soon put her professional training and talent to use serving as Women’s News Editor for the Temple Daily Telegram. She later worked as a retail buyer for several department stores including J.M. Dyer, Goldstein-Migel, Barry’s, Beall and Marion’s. During her career, Ann also taught courses at Temple Junior College, judged pageants, coordinated fashion shows, gave numerous speaking engagements, and earned a strong community reputation for her expertise in fashion, poise, workplace etiquette, and career development.

She was active in many service organizations, including the Altrusa Club, Temple’s City Federation of Women’s Clubs, Scott and White Hospital Auxiliary, Newcomers, and more. She also volunteered as a hospital Yellowbird for more than 30 years.

Ann loved traveling, visiting at least 20 countries with her good friend and traveling companion, Shirley Brock. She and Kirk were members of the Dawson class of the First Methodist Church, where they made many lifelong friendships. Ann was a loyal friend, a respected colleague, and a woman of grace and elegance. She was, above all, a dedicated wife, mother and beloved Meemaw to her three granddaughters.

She was predeceased by her husband, Kirk, and her son, Frank. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, John and Vicky DeLany, and their daughters, Audrey Villani and husband Travis, Colleen Christl and husband Steve, and Bonnie Franklin and husband Jordan. She also enjoyed six wonderful great-grandchildren: Lillian, Brann, Matthew, Lauren, Ruby and Marion.

A visitation will take place on Friday, September 26, 2025 from 9:30am until the time of service at 10:30am at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home 3110 Airport Rd. Temple, Texas 76504. Burial will follow at Bellwood Memorial Park in Temple.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the staff and caregivers of Park Place Manor who took loving care of her these last three years.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Dawson class of the First Methodist Church of Temple, Gentiva Hospice, or the Alzheimer’s Association, especially the VCID-UMD Grant Program.