Delores R. Bynum

Delores “Dee” Regina (Dalanek) Bynum, 92, a resident of Merritt Island, FL, passed away on December 6, 2024, at Cape Canaveral Hospital, Cocoa Beach, FL, surrounded by her loving family and devoted clergy. Dee will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by her two daughters, Sandra Lee Donchess (Thomas), Titusville, FL, and Tina Louise Robertson (Douglas), Merritt Island, FL, and her son, William Joseph Bynum (Tracy), Melbourne Beach, FL; her sister, Carole Jean Grant; her grandchildren, Brian Donchess, David Donchess (Serina), Alex Robertson, Michelle McCauley (Matthew), Richard Knight (Kristen), Stephen Knight (Caitlyn), Christie Bynum, and Jared Bynum; and her great grandchildren Rhys Knight and Shiloh Knight; as well as many other family and friends.

Delores was born on July 22, 1932 in Bristol, CT, the daughter of the late Joseph and Irene (Kantorski) Dalanek. She graduated from Bristol High School in 1950, entering the Air Force that same year as a stenographer. She married her late husband Hayden (Bill) Bynum in 1952, and separated from the Air Force that same year. She then busied herself with housekeeping and raising their three children as they moved regularly for Bill’s Air Force career. She was a talented seamstress, piano player, bowler, and ice skater. She supported Bill in his military career, serving in various capacities in the NCO Wives Club, including President. Upon Bill’s retirement they settled in Montgomery, AL where Dee returned to work in Civil Service as a secretary in the Air University Library at Maxwell AFB.

After the death of her husband, Bill, and her retirement, Dee moved to Merritt Island from Montgomery, AL in 1999 in order to be closer to children and grandchildren. She quickly became involved in activities such as Newcomer’s Club, Red Hats, Moose Lodge events, and regular Bunco gatherings. A lifelong Catholic, she regularly attended services at Divine Mercy Catholic Church, and enjoyed sightseeing, traveling, and visiting her children and friends.

Most of all, Dee was the quintessential role model for motherhood and maternal nurturing and maintained close and loving relationships with her children and especially her cherished grandchildren. She volunteered at schools and thrift shops on their behalf and never missed an opportunity to step up and show up for them. She will ever be remembered for the love and nurturing that she poured into her family, and she will be profoundly missed.

A funeral service and reception will take place at Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 1940 N. Courtenay Pkwy, Merritt Island, with family viewing at 11:00 a.m. and Funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, December 20, 2024. Dee will be interred beside her husband in a private burial service at Greenwood Cemetery in Montgomery, AL on December 22, 2024.