Delidia Price

Delidia Ann San Romani Price passed from this life to her eternal one on Saturday, January 30, 2010. She was born on July 4, 1916 in Frontenac, Kansas to Cotilda Turigliatto San Romani and Egidio San Romani, delivered at home by a doctor who was apparently annoyed Dees birth caused him to miss his first glimpse of a visiting airplane. Dee grew up in the loving Italian community of Frontenac with her brothers Archie and Bud, attending schools there, and later Pittsburg State College as a home economics major. While still a teenager, Dee caught a glimpse of handsome young fellow who played clarinet in her fathers band and bragged to a girlfriend Thats Leonard Price I know him. She didnt yet, but soon met him, fell in love, and they were married in Frontenac on August 1, 1937 with uninvited folks looking in through the churchs open windows. Dee and Leonard began their lifelong love of camping on their honeymoon, returning to Lens teaching position in Holyrood, Kansas. After son Leonard, Jr. was born, and son Gary was on the way, Len accepted a teaching position in the Panama Canal zone, and Dee bravely went along. Upon return, the boat they were to have taken was torpedoed and sunk, and they never forgot Gods gracious sparing of their young family. Back in Kansas they settled in Parsons, then Arma, welcoming daughter Kay. Further teaching, principal and superintendent assignments brought them to Hepler, Fall River and Chetopa, Kansas. Dee often recalled making 18 hamburgers for their family, with 1 for her, 1 for Kay, 2 for Leonard, and the rest for the teenage boys In 1960, Leonard accepted the principalship at Washington school in Independence, and, with 2 year old Douglas in tow, they purchased a ramshackle house at 415 N. 10th Street. Len and the boys literally shoveled out refuse, but soon Dee used her magic touch to transform it into a home of welcome and warmth, which it remained until her death. After Doug started school, Dee joined Riley School as a library aide. She always had a kind word for the children, and contributed many dimes for lunch money. There Dee made wonderful friends, with her glow group gals meeting monthly for over 25 years, including just last week Dee and Len also were avid campers and fisherman in these years, from Neewollah Campers, to hauling their trailers to Estes Park, Colorado, and Yellowstone Park, where they made friends from all over the country. Dee was a committed member of many organizations, including PEO, Triad Club, EWA, several bridge clubs and United Methodist Women. Her delicious French Cookies, angel food cakes with 7 minute frosting, and homemade Italian soups, were generously shared with family and friends. Dee and Len celebrated their 50th anniversary with a family given reception, their 55th at a family mountain retreat, their 60th on a Caribbean cruise, and their 65th with a champagne toast overlooking the lights of Las Vegas. For her 80th birthday, her kids gave Dee a glamour shots photo session and no one had more fun than she did. Dee delighted in her children and their spouses, her grandchildren, great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Every year, folks drove by her home to see the 12 foot tall Christmas tree and every 4th of July, she shot loads of fireworks, to celebrate her birthdayincluding her 93rd.She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, husband, son Gary and daughter Kay. A celebration of her life will be held at 1 pm on Saturday, February 6th, 2010 at the First United Methodist Church. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to First United Methodist Church.