Delaine M. Arnold

Delaine Sandra (Miner) Arnold, age 72, passed away December 6, 2022, with her daughters by her bedside. Delaine was born in Colrain, Massachusetts to John and Luella (Walden) Miner December 4, 1950. Delaine had one sister, Raelene (Miner) Currier. The family moved to Jensen Beach, Florida when Delaine was 5 years old. During her childhood and throughout high school, she made many lifelong friends.

In August of 1974, Delaine began her career in the telecommunications industry at General Telephone Company (GTE), now Verizon, in Kentucky as a telephone operator. During her career with Verizon, she moved to North Carolina, Texas, and finally back to Florida. Delaine helped develop practices and procedures for 9-1-1 Database Management Centers, managed the implementation and maintenance of Enhanced 9-1-1 databases for over 200 jurisdictions with 14 million access lines and provided training to numerous colleagues.

Before retiring from a remarkable career with Verizon in 2003, Delaine became involved with the National Emergency Number Association (NENA), the only non-profit organization solely focused on improving 9-1-1. During her time spent working with NENA over the past four decades, she realized some of the most profound success and contributions in her professional life. In 2012, Delaine was honored with the NENA Presidential Award in appreciation for her service and continuing support, contributions, and dedication. In 2015, she was the recipient of the William B. Stanton Award. This award is bestowed upon an individual who has not only excelled in his or her everyday job but has gone above and beyond to further the goals of NENA.

Delaine was a devoted mother, colleague, and friend to many. In her personal life she enjoyed spending time with her daughters, friends, and family. A lifelong learner, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management in 2004. Delaine enjoyed traveling and cruising around the world. Her travels took her on a worldwide tour including Alaska, Hawaii, London, Paris, Barcelona, China, Amsterdam, and many other international destinations. While in Amsterdam, she toured the Anne Frank House and climbed the ‘Dutch leg-breaking staircase’, as described in Anne Frank’s diary. Delaine completed over 3500 hours of volunteer service at St. Joseph’s Hospital, where her kindness and compassion was felt by many.

Delaine is preceded in death by her parents John and Luella (Walden) Miner, sister Raelene (Miner) Currier, and uncles James Dean and Daniel Miner. She is survived by her loving daughters Terri (Miner) Barlow and Stephanie Arnold, aunts Elsie (Walden) Dean and Shirley (Swistek) Miner, as well as many cousins and friends who are like family.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, January 14, 2023, at Beach Memorial Chapel, 301 Corey Avenue, St. Pete Beach, from 2 PM until 5 PM.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you please donate to NENA’s Gold Line Scholarship fund. NENA's Gold Line Scholarships provide training opportunities for our nation's first first responders, 9-1-1 dispatchers. Working in 9-1-1 is difficult and getting harder every day, that's what makes your support of these scholarships so important. To donate text NENA to 71777 or online at https://thankyou911.org/give.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.beachmemorial.com for the Arnold family.