Jean Ann Dale, age 91, passed away in the early hours of Monday, January 14, 2019 at Emerald Spring in Yuma, Arizona. She was born in Chicago, Illinois on April 14, 1927. Jean was the youngest of four children born to Patrick and Zazell O'Donnell.
Jean graduated from Loretto High School in Chicago in June of 1945. Shortly after graduation she began working as a stewardess for TWA on the Constellation. She later worked as a phone operator in Oceanside, CA and then for All-State Freightline as a dispatcher where she met her future husband, Charlie Dale. Jean and Charlie were married on October 25, 1950. Eventually they moved to Yuma, AZ in 1959 where Charlie started Economy Muffler Service and Jean became the first woman dispatcher for Yuma Fire Department, Station 1. In the late 1960's Jean got ""the travel bug"" and opened Chaparral Travel, which she owned and operated until the early 1990's. During that time she made numerous travels throughout the Orient. In 1978 Jean was appointed by then Governor Raul Castro as the first woman appointed to the newly created Arizona Office of Tourism Advisory Council. She was a certified member of the American Board of Travel Agents.
Jean is survived by her sons, Kevin (Shirley), Mark (Cindi), step-sons, Chuck (Chic) Caha and Jerry (Lucy) Caha. Grandchildren, Ryan Dale, Kelly Dale, Kristoffer Burch, Chris Bogner, Micaela Creighton, Tyler Croy, great-granddaughter, Khloe Dale, and many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband Charlie, siblings, step-son, Chuck and her parents.
Graveside services will be on Saturday, January 19, 2019 at 1:00 pm, at Desert Lawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hospice Compassus in Jean's name
