Mary Elizabeth Dalessi

When she was born on June 6, 1944, the local Fullerton newspaper gave Mary the moniker of “Miss D-Day of Fullerton” and until her untimely death on June 20, 2025, Mary continued to make her presence known in the greater Fullerton community. She dedicated her life to the ideals of quality public education and community service. She was a teacher, principal, district-level administrator and a faculty member at CSUF. She was an enthusiastic contributing member of many local boards, foundations and service organizations during which all her efforts were honestly given in service of the “greater good.” A description of Mary given as she was completing a term as President of the Fullerton College Foundation stated that” ...what we most remember was her dedication to the Future Teachers Program at CSU Fullerton. Busloads of future teachers would pull up to our campus and Mary would be greeting them, ready to guide them, pointing them in the direction of their lifetime career. In addition to her many talents as an educator, Mary has served as the President of the CSU Fullerton Arboretum. Anything you want to know about plants, just ask Mary! Mary is an unsung heroine. She works behind the scenes, doing good quietly for others. She is much appreciated and to know her and have worked with her is a true privilege.”

Mary’s lifelong association with education began with her own at Ford Elementary, Wilshire Junior High and Fullerton Union High School. After graduating from Fullerton College, Mary continued her education at CSU Fullerton with both BA and MA degrees along with several teaching and administrative credentials. Her professional career in education started as a classroom elementary school teacher and progressed to special education resource teacher before becoming an Assistant Principal and then Principal at George Key ES in the Placentia-Yorba Linda USD (1967-1978). Mary then returned to her hometown serving as Principal at Golden Hills ES and then Principal Nicholas JHS in the Fullerton ESD (1978-1995). She completed her career in K-12 education as Principal of Sycamore JHS and lastly, as Program Administrator-Research & Evaluation in the Anaheim UHSD (1995-2003).

During the final years of her time in Fullerton and Anaheim and for many years afterwards, she also served as a Lecturer in Teacher Education at CSU Fullerton where she focused college readiness programs for high school students and introductory coursework and student teaching for CSUF students working towards their California teaching credentials.

Allied with her professional career, Mary was very involved in a variety of community groups giving much of her time and love to forward their purpose(s). These ranged from membership on the Fullerton Boys & Girls Club Board of Directors, the Florence Crittenton Association Felicia Auxiliary, the Friends of the Fullerton Arboretum Board Member and Past President, the Fullerton College Foundation Board Member and Past President, and the Altrusa International of Anaheim Member and current President to being a valued parishioner at first St. Andrews Episcopal Church of Fullerton where she still was participating with the Friday evening Homeless Meal Program and later the Episcopal Church of the Blessed Sacrament, Placentia where she was a longtime member of the Vestry, the Altar Guild, etc. Her membership in a long-time running Fullerton Book Club, previous efforts with the local YWCA and the Fullerton Library along with her delight attending various theatrical and musical presentations with a group of highly valued long-time friends exemplified her love of culture, friendship and service to others. In recognition of her activities, Mary was the recipient of several California State Legislature and Congressional proclamations, but an award particularly important to her was the “Golden Oak” from the CSUF Arboretum Foundation.

A memorial service for Mary E. Dalessi will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 11:00am at the Episcopal Church of the Blessed Sacrament located at 1314 N. Angelina Dr, Placentia, CA 92870 with a reception immediately following the parish hall. Recognizing both the August vacation time and her sudden passing, the church staff would appreciate an RSVP, if possible, at 714-528-2995. A private interment at Fairhaven Memorial Park in Santa Ana will be at another time.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents Hilton L. Dalessi and Margaret J. Dalessi of Fullerton CA, her paternal grandparents Charlie & Mabel Dalessi of Fullerton CA and her maternal grandparents Thomas & Elizabeth Jackson of Anaheim CA. Her immediate surviving relatives include her older brother Anthony Dalessi and his partner Cheryl Kosky of Laguna Beach CA; her niece Krista Michael and her husband Dr. Fred Michael of Mt. Pleasant SC along with her grandnephew James Bilger of Columbia SC and grandniece Katie Bilger of Mt. Pleasant SC; her nephew Brian Dalessi and his wife Kathy Dalessi of Bainbridge Island WA along with her grandniece Sarah Dalessi of Huntsville AL and grandniece Sydney Dalessi of Brooklyn NY; her nephew Mathew Dalessi and his partner Olivia Taylor of Los Angeles CA; and her sister-in-law Joyce Dalessi of Burbank CA.