AnnaBelle VanDalsen DeLuca 97, Port Charlotte, Florida, and formerly of Rochester, passed away on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital, Port Charlotte, Florida.
She was born February 23, 1926 in Rochester, Indiana, to Harley and Bernice (Horn) Zolman. AnnaBelle (Ann) grew up in Rochester, Indiana and graduated from Rochester High School. She excelled in art and considered furthering her education however her true passion was having a family. AnnaBelle married a handsome young soldier who had just returned from WWII, Richard VanDalsen. They married and made their home in Macy, Indiana where AnnaBelle’s life was very busy. Writing human interest stories, home making tips, and recipes and area news for the local newspapers.
Three sons were born of this union. She fulfilled her life’s wish to be a wife and mother. She was an exceptional homemaker, mother and wife. She loved baking and preparing three meals a day for her sons and husband. Always being up before 5 AM to prepare breakfast for her husband as he was a rural mail carrier, and she continued being an early riser the rest of her life. Her house was often filled with children, nieces and nephews who were very excited to get to spend the day at Auntie Anna’s. There was always fun things to do and eat for the children and she loved them all. You could always expect the sweet smell of pies, (especially her Chocolate Pie) cookies, cakes or a wonderful dinner that she always made sure there was plenty for anyone who stopped by. Richard and AnnaBelle moved in 1959 to Rochester, Indiana so their sons could attend Rochester High School. In retirement, AnnaBelle moved with her husband Richard to sunny south Florida where they built a new home and enjoyed playing bridge and eating out. It made them especially happy when family and friends came to visit.
In 1989, her husband Richard, sadly passed away and in 2008 she married James Deluca who survives and will miss her terribly. AnnaBelle always told the story that when she was a baby and a young child she was very sick and the doctors told her parents if they could keep her alive she would grow to be a “good old women”. She was proud she proved them right.
She is preceded in death by her first husband, Richard VanDalsen, infant son, Michael, son, Allan VanDalsen, her mother and father as well as her only sister, Donna Jo.
She is survived by her husband, James DeLuca of Port Charlotte, Florida, Son, Richard R. VanDalsen (LuAnn) of Niles, Michigan, six grandchildren, seven great grandchildren six great- great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and three stepchildren, James, Johanna and Janice.
AnnaBelle will finally come home to Macy, Indiana and will be interred in the family plot with husband, Richard and sons, Allan and Michael.
AnnaBelle had a life well loved and a life well lived and we will carry sweet memories of her always.
Graveside services will be conducted at a later date at Plainview Cemetery, Macy, Indiana. Arrangements by Zimmerman Bros. Funeral Home, Rochester, Indiana. Online condolences may be expressed at www.zimmermanbrosfh.com
