Dina DeLape Jeremy

Dina DeLape Jeremy died peacefully at her sister's home in New Paltz on November 3 after a 25-year struggle with lung disease. She was 60. She is survived by her daughter Heather Jeremy of Brooklyn, NY; her partner Mark DiPietro of Citrus Heights, CA; her siblings Christine DeLape of New Paltz, NY, David DeLape of Independence, MO, and Robin Noland and her husband Richard of Blue Springs, MO; and her nieces Jordan and Mallory Noland of Blue Springs, MO; as well as many cousins. She was pre-deceased by her parents Daniel and Mary Lou DeLape.

Dina grew up on Long Island and graduated in 1974 from Hicksville High School. One of her first major jobs sent her to California for a 3-week specialized training, and she fell in love with the weather and the idea of a California adventure. She eventually moved to the Bay area in northern California, and then to the Sacramento area after her daughter Heather was born. She worked as a service advisor for several auto dealerships until she was disabled by the effects of lung disease, which had developed slowly and inexplicably over the years. She sought out pulmonary experts, but none could explain or cure the diseases which were gradually causing her lungs and airways to fail. Her fierce love for her daughter was her incentive for getting up every day and struggling to have a normal life as much as possible. In 2009, she received a double lung transplant at Stanford University Medical Center in Palo Alto, CA. That organ donation extended her life by seven years--precious time which she spent with her daughter Heather, her long-time partner Mark, and family and friends. When the new lungs began to reject, she persevered, determined to fight for every breath, every moment. She was aided by the services of Hospice in maintaining as much quality of life as possible until the end.

Dina was a strong, generous, warm and loving person--she was the heartbeat of her family, and intensely loyal to her friends. She was a big sports fan, always rooting for the Mets, Jets, and Islanders no matter where she lived, but loyal to her newly adopted Sacramento Kings team as well. Because she spent so much time indoors, she became a big soap opera fan, with her loyal dog Stevie curled next to her on the couch, day after day. Dina was an active Facebook user, and played Words With Friends every night as a way to keep in touch with people. She always made sure to have her hair, nails, and makeup done, so that she looked her best, no matter how she felt physically. She loved jewelry. She loved the color red. Her favorite rock group was Journey--she was a big Steve Perry fan. She loved the ocean, east or west coast. She had a big sweet tooth, and even a few weeks before she died, she delighted in sampling many candies from her childhood while shopping at a nearby candy store, just to relive all the memories it brought back. She loved hummingbirds, and spent time watching them at the feeder. She loved life and fought to live as long as possible. Her strength and will to live against all odds is how most people will remember her. She loved to dance, and her family and friends hope that she is now somewhere in a better place, with healthy lungs, dancing at the ocean's edge, free at last.

Cremation arranged through Keyser Funeral & Cremation Service, Kingston, NY. To leave an expression of sympathy, please visit www.KeyserFuneralService.com . A celebration of Dina's life is planned for later in the spring or summer. Donations in her memory can be made to the American Lung Association at www.lung.org or Hudson Valley Hospice at www.hvhospice.org .