Doris ‘Jean’ (Green) Della
Sept. 1, 1946 – July 2, 2023

Della
On this day, what would have been her 77th birthday, it is with great sadness and deep grief her sisters announce her passing on Sunday, July 2, 2023, at UPMC Altoona.
Doris Jean, always known as “Jean” to her family and close friends, was born the daughter of Chester Patton and Evelyn May (Pope) Green at the former Mercy Hospital of Altoona on Sept. 1, 1946.
Surviving are three sisters: Rita A. Green of Altoona, Nancy S. Sinisi (Anthony) of Hollidaysburg and Miriam L. Maurer (Duane) of Altoona; two nieces, Marissa N. Sinisi and Danielle R. Maurer; and two nephews, Sean A. Green and Robert R. Wolf.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Betty Jane Green and Martha Mae
Champney; and one nephew, Duane Kessler Maurer III; her significant other, Larry E. Long, in 1967; her husband, Joseph Rauch in 1985; and most recently, her husband of 35 years, John Joseph Della, “the cat in the hat,” on July 11, 2021.
Jean was a graduate of Altoona High School Class of 1964. She started her career at the former Altoona Hospital as a respiratory tech in the 1970s.
Later in life, Jean returned to school and obtained the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy. After graduation and passing her National Boards with an extremely high score, she became licensed as a Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician in 1994. She also became a member of the National Society of Respiratory Therapists.
After working many years at several area hospitals, Jean became afflicted with a very vicious form of rheumatoid arthritis. She was unable to work and barely able to walk for a time, until she became one of the first patients in the Altoona Area to receive the medication Enbrel, which miraculously put the disease into a form of remission. After that, she was able to return to work for many years at the Clearfield Hospital until the crippling effects of the arthritis forced her into retirement in 2008.
Jean had a lifelong and enduring love of the ocean and traveled to many beach towns every chance she could get. She and her husband, John, and other close family members and friends visited many towns up and down the U.S. Eastern Seaboard over many years.
She was a former member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Lakemont.
Jean is also survived by her ex-husband, Frank J. DeLeo III, in Florida, and by the following family members from whom she was often and grievously estranged: her two sons, Larry E (DeLeo) Long (Beth Wiesinger) and Roman A. DeLeo (Michele McCaulley), both of Altoona; one grandson, Vincent Carl (DeLeo) Long; one granddaughter, Katherine Marie DeLeo; and one great-grandson, Elias Grant.
At Jean’s request, there was no viewing or visitation. Services will be private for close family members only at a later date.
As per her wishes, Jean will be buried at sea, in the near future, in the ocean she loved so much.
Arrangements are by Vincent J. Good Funeral Parlor, 328 Fifth Ave., Altoona.