Delphine Margaret Mayock-Tricomi passed away peacefully in her sleep, at home by the sea on Tuesday, April 19.
The daughter of Florence (Ring) and John A. Mayock, she was born in 1929 (over the weekend after the stock market crash, but during a championship season of Notre Dame football!). She was raised in Wilkes-Barre, PA, on Mayock Street, a nod to her family’s deep area roots. She was a devoted sister to the late Thomas (Mary Teresa), Eleanor (Dale Salisbury), Alice (Francis T. O’Donnell, Jr.), and John Jr. Her eldest sister Eleanor taught her to play the piano with grace and finesse — a skill (and art) that she would, in turn, pass down to myriad students over her lifetime. Of course, she always loved to play for an old-fashioned sing-along too!
After graduating from St. Mary’s High School, she began college at Marywood, and in 1950 (a year after the next Notre Dame championship), also entered the Congregation of Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, both in Scranton. After college graduation, she went on to receive a Masters degree in Music from the University of Notre Dame (cementing her enthusiastic devotion to both religious and secular concert music — and, indeed, Notre Dame football). Sister Delphina, as she was then known, participated in communal life and taught music to students in elementary schools in Scranton, PA, Manhassett, NY, and other Northeast IHM locations. But, to her family and close friends, the Sister was known just as much for her fun-loving streak, with tales of irreverent capers and getting up to some funny shenanigans!
Over the years, she visited her sisters’ families in Florida, especially delighting her nephew Sean (also born during a Notre Dame championship year), when they would dye Easter eggs, ride bikes, play piano, and swim and swim!
In 1970, she headed South permanently to live closer to her parents, who had moved to Miami. For the first several years, she lived with her sister Alice, brother-in-law Frank, and nephews Tim and Sean. Fresh out of the convent, Delphine often talked about having nothing and relying on her sisters and brothers-in-law to help secure her first car. Teaching all the way through, by 1975, she found hear steady niche at Springview Elementary, which later included directing after-school programs. Of course, she continued teaching youngsters piano privately, creating legendary recitals and lifelong relationships. She rejoiced in Notre Dame’s 1988 championship almost as much as she reveled in returning to the campus with her sisters for Sean’s graduation earlier that same year.
By 1996, she retired from elementary school teaching and joined her friends at Barry University as a student advisor. While Delphine loved getting to know Barry, its friendly people, and its spiritual chapel, lightening struck when she met, and later married, her beloved Albert C. Tricomi, Jr. Together, Al and Delphine sparkled, and jumped into a life full of book groups and classes, opera-going, cruises, and socializing with dear friends. Al and Delphine also shared spiritual pursuits and church participation, finding a religious home at the Cor Jesu Chapel at Barry — where they become special friends with many affiliates.
Never missing an opportunity to celebrate a holiday or throw a party, Delphine was an enthusiastic people-person. In private moments, she diligently kept in touch with friends and family with cards and calls. Even during her last challenging year, Delphine managed to host friends for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and St. Patrick’s Day. Yet, the year was equally marked by 15 tough hospitalizations and Delphine’s ever-present optimism, throughout which Sean lovingly coordinated and oversaw her care, with visits from devoted friends and tending from committed aides. Still, Delphine’s independence and perseverance always came through, as she attempted to rebound after each setback, ever certain of God’s love, and ever hopeful for the next Notre Dame championship!
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Delphine wanted to thank her lovely, helpful aides, whose recent devotion to her care made all the difference in the last difficult months: Elmina (Mimi) Roselva and Lawanda Hilliman tended to Delphine, cooked special foods, and attentively kept her comfortable and safe at home.
In addition to those aides who joined during the last year, Delphine was privileged to enjoy the company of her extraordinarily dedicated longtime companion-aide, Irma Hernandez, whose love, attention, and loyalty sustained Delphine, nearly daily, for the last 5 years. The feelings were mutual. Delphine adored Irma, her son Noah, and her partner Julian.
Delphine was especially touched that Irma’s recent pregnancy would produce a new, little St. Patrick’s Day Baby named Delphine!
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She is survived by her nieces and nephews: F. Timothy O’Donnell III (Mary Beth; Tallahassee, FL), Sean T. O’Donnell (Alissa Spielberg; Wellesley, MA), Eileen Mayock (Scranton, PA), Erin Maher (Thomas; Havertown, PA), and Ellen Gnassi (Allen; Huntsville, AL). She is also survived by her large, multi-generational Tricomi family, including, especially, Albert H. Tricomi (Elizabeth; Vestal, NY) and Carolyn Tricomi Higgins (Albert; Sarasota, FL).
Burial will be at a later date in the family plot in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
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