Dell S. Dalton

DALTON-Dell S. of Shelter Island and Garden City NY, passed away peacefully at her home on Shelter Island on September 16, 2025. Dell was 99 years old. Dell was born in Mesa, AZ on September 3, 1926. She was a graduate of Ithaca High School, Class of 1944, and Syracuse University, Class of 1948. Beloved daughter of the late George and Grace (Humphrey) Serviss, Dell was the loving wife of George E. Dalton (predeceased) and sister to Thomas Serviss (Molino, FL) and Georgia Muchow (Jamesville, NY). She was the loving mother to Matthew (Alison-predeceased), Timothy, Christopher (predeceased) and Martha Dalton (Mark Cerasano). Dell is survived by 6 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

Dell loved studying history and current events. She believed that education was a life-long process. There was always something new to learn; a new place to explore. She was a prolific reader of news and history. Her major project throughout her life was piecing together her family’s genealogy. She spent hundreds of hours in libraries throughout the Northeast researching and documenting her family’s history. She travelled extensively with both family and friends and enjoyed cruising the seas in the family’s Grand Banks named the Maresol.

Dell was a member of the Colonel Aaron Ogden Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution where she held several positions. She was also a member of the Long Island Panhellenic, North Shore Long Island Alumnae Chapter of Delta Delta Delta , and an active member of Our Lady of the Isle R.C. Church, Shelter Island, NY.

The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to all those of the Shelter Island Community that assisted Dell throughout her later years. It was with their assistance that Dell was able to enjoy her beloved Shelter Island home. Reposing will be held at Dell’s Shelter Island home located at 9 Merkel Lane, on September 24 from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial September 25 at 10:30 am at Our Lady of the Isle R.C. Church. Interment Our Lady of the Isle Cemetery, Shelter Island Heights, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Shelter Island Emergency Service, Our Lady of the Isle R.C. Church, Shelter Island, NY or the Shelter Island Senior Citizen Foundation.

The DeFriest-Grattan Shelter Island Funeral Home is serving the family.

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