Hava Jean Delgado

Hava Jean Delgado, of Belleville, Michigan, crossed over on Friday, January 2, 2026, at the age of 84, surrounded by the love of her family. She was born Jean Evelyn on July 17th, 1941 in El Paso, Texas, to Roger R Delgado and Eva West Delgado.

Before parenthood, Oklahoman teacher and farmer’s daughter Eva joined Cuban immigrant Roger as a pharmacist, and then as he pursued medical school in Kansas City. The couple landed in Ysleta, where Roger established Delgado Green Cross Hospital with intention to serve the predominantly immigrant population.

“Jeanie” was a ballet dancer from an early age, and staged performances with her younger sister, brother, and friends. She graduated from the Catholic girls’ school Loretto Academy, as a prom queen known for her beauty. Following a brief study of art in college, she married Air Force airman and engineer Donald Raczkowski on August 13, 1960. They raised their children in El Paso and Renton, Washington, before settling near Don’s family in Dearborn Heights, Michigan. To a child of the desert city, the lush green woods of the Midwest were a new world for Jeanie, and she was in love.

A devoted mother to her five children, Jean orchestrated many family vacations to Texas, and was involved in the community of St. Linus Church. She channeled her creative energies into teaching ballet and modern dance out of her basement studio. Jean’s School of Dance, later Children’s Dance Theatre, produced many beloved performances in its eight years.

In the late 70s, Jean’s career took a new direction with teaching modern and improvisational dance at Detroit Community Music School, and then with the founding of Paradigm Dance Theatre with several friends.

Jean and Don moved their family to Northville in 1978. Their divorce in 1982 marked many changes, with Jean’s life expanding around southeast Michigan. As she supported her kids’ journeys into adulthood and her first two grandchildren, her own journey of growth saw immersion in spiritual traditions from around the world. She wove these practices in a unique, evolving way. One profound influence of these studies led to taking on the name Hava. The original Hebrew name for Eve, archetype of the first woman, this connected to her mother’s name and her own middle name, and she was primarily called Hava Jean for the rest of her life.

Now named Paradigm Center for the Arts, this endeavor found a home in Harmonie Park. Classes in various forms of dance, tai chi, performances, jazz concerts, and more made it a hub for all kinds of creatives in Hava Jean’s circles.

Interdisciplinary collaborative exchange flourished in the space. It was here that Hava Jean met fine artist and painter Kevin Meisel in 1986, and they married on July 7, 1990. Hava Jean and Kevin chose to make their home in Belleville in order to be close to her grandchildren.

Pushed out of Detroit by development, the next chapter saw Project Paradigm as an umbrella for movement healing workshops, and Magicweavers: afterschool programs in metro Detroit and storytime events around the state, focusing on interactive, multicultural tales.

In 1993, Hava Jean, Kevin, and a few friends purchased land in Empire, entrusting it to the Leelanau Land Conservancy. A parcel was allotted for a timber-frame second home, the site of plentiful vacations “up north” near her daughter and third grandchild. This land held Hava’s bringing together of community to honor the planet, to connect and pray for self, life, and others in annual gatherings called Earth Circles.

Throughout this full life, Hava Jean cared for her family and friends with a fierce and vibrant love, treasuring each one individually. She self-published picture books; was known for her colorful personal style; and always held onto a strong sense of justice. Being present with her people was one of her strongest values, and one of the last times she traveled was to participate in the birth of her fourth grandchild. In her final decade living with Lewy body dementia, she saw life through an intuitive and often humorous lens—a dreamlike cohesion of all she learned and adored in the world.

Hava Jean is survived by: husband Kevin; sister Judy; sister-in law Linda; children Michael (Nikkita), Paul, Therese (John), John (Mei), and David (Myra); grandchildren: Angela, Michael; Andrea; Hailan; great-grandchildren: Kaleb, Noah; Skylar; grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Jennifer, Craig, Zachary, Kalsey; Jessie; Anniah, Peyton; Grace, Alisa, Riley; Baleigh, Adelina, Rosalie; Alexander; Kenley, Evelynn, Sophia, Grayson; mother-in-law Kate, who has since passed; siblings-in-law Ken (Anita), Kathy, Keith (Stephanie); nieces and nephews: Tara, Eve, Kirsten; Jessica, Nathan; Margo; Brad; other extended family and many friends and caregivers. Hava Jean was predeceased by her parents; former husband; brother Roger; nephew Aaron; and two miscarriages, Celine Marie and Cerciesta, whom she included with her living children as her “seven yellow roses.”

A wise and powerful woman, Hava Jean will be remembered and learned from as long as her legacy is kept alive. No services will be held at this time. Contributions may be made in Hava Jean’s honor to the Leelanau Land Conservancy at https://leelanauconservancy.org/donate/.