Waiva Jean (Newman) DeLauer

Waiva Jean (Newman) DeLauer, formerly Rosenfield, age 75, of Willoughby Hills passed away Saturday, November 4, 2023. She was born in Jonesville, Virginia. Jean was a 1965 graduate of Riverside High School, Lakeland Community College and Notre Dame College. She graduated from Notre Dame College with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She enjoyed being a court reporter and substitute bus driver for Mentor Public Schools while continuing to pursue higher education. She began her career at Bailey Controls (later ABB) and excelled in several positions of increasing responsibility. Jean worked as a Proposal Automation Administrator at the time of her retirement. In retirement, Jean enjoyed spending time with her daughter and grandson, as well as her many friends and family. She volunteered at Lake Metroparks Farmpark and Penitentiary Glen. She also enjoyed travel to California, Hawaii, Alaska, and Ireland. She was always an exceptionally devoted and enthusiastic mother to Debbie. During her daughter’s school years Jean was the cool, young mom who knew the names of every band on the radio. She volunteered as the room mother, PTA Treasurer, and Jr. Girl Scout Leader. She always made sure that her daughter had everything to be a successful student and provided every opportunity for extra-curricular activities. Jean had a special gift for paying attention to details and doing the little things to make people feel special. For example, she kept every important photo, memento, ribbon and award from her daughter’s childhood, neatly organized. Jean was gifted with many talents. She loved cooking and baking and was known for her beautifully decorated and sometimes exotic cakes. She had a designer’s eye for home remodeling, and demonstrated her sewing skills in everything from curtains, to upholstery, to Halloween costumes and school art shirts that were too nice to wear. Jean loved people and enjoyed getting together with family and friends. She loved music, concerts, movies, the theater, shopping, dancing, and walking. Jean was an angel on earth and the best mom and best friend anyone could imagine. She will be remembered as the sweetest, kindest, most thoughtful, generous, and passionate person. She was a loyal advocate for children, women, the elderly, and animals. Her sparkling blue eyes, her smile, her outgoing personality, and great sense of humor could light up a room. She touched so many lives and was truly loved by everyone who knew her. She will be deeply missed. She is survived by her devoted daughter and best friend, Debra (Jeffrey) Rosenfield Haehn; her greatest joy and grandson, Christopher about whom she always said, I LOVE that little boy!; sister, Janice Newman; brother, Jerry (Ruthanne) Newman; cousin, Joyce Carter; and many nieces and nephews. Jean was preceded in death by her husbands John DeLauer and Earle Rosenfield; father, Charles Newman; mother, Reeda Johnson; sister Barbara Bevington; and her dear pets Snuffie and Micki. A celebration of Jean’s life will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 pm Friday, November 24, 2023, at Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 8466 Mentor Ave., Mentor, OH 44060. A private ceremony will take place at the Mentor Cemetery. Special thank you to Colleen, Vicki and Jen for their compassion while Jean was in their care. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Jean’s honor to her favorite charity, Lake Humane Society. Offer condolences at www.brunners.com

Waiva Jean (Newman) DeLauer

November 24, 1947 - November 4, 2023