The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Florence Stella Delp passed away Tuesday, October 24, 2023. She was born on March 4, 1936, to Jacob Richard and Susan Mace Scarbrough.

Because her parents spent many summers working for the U.S. Forest Service, Florence and her sisters, Joan and Carolyn, spent many memorable years with their grandparents, Joe and Stella Mace. Florence loved sharing the many adventures of her sisters and cousins growing up on Grouse Flats. She also enjoyed remembering the many guard stations at which she stayed with her parents, including the Tucannon Guard Station.

Her parents divorced, and when her mother married Dayton resident Ralph Startin, Florence and her sisters relocated to Ralph's place on the South Patit. With the move to Dayton, she became a member of the Dayton High School Class of 1953.

On March 14, 1958, Florence married classmate John David Delp, and they moved to their home on Patit Avenue, where they would live throughout their 57-year marriage and where they raised their five children. For many years, Florence was a stay-at-home mom, but once her youngest child started school, Florence started working outside the home. For twenty years, Florence worked for Columbia Cut Stock.

Through the years, Florence served as a Cub Scout leader, classroom volunteer, Sunday School teacher, and Vacation Bible School teacher. She also enjoyed attending her children's, grandchildren's, and great-grandchildren's activities, plus traveling with David in their motor home after they retired. Together, they visited every state in the United States except Florida and Hawaii.

Florence is survived by her children: Tim (Lana) Delp, Connie (Tom) Hutchens, Roseann (Bill) Groom, John (Christine) Delp, and Sara (Greg) Fletcher; and her sisters Joan McGee and Carolyn Hoffman. Her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, and nephews also survive her. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her grandparents, her brothers-in-law-Darrold McGee and Wayne Hoffman, and her grandson, Andrew Groom.

The family is very grateful for the care Florence received as a resident of Booker Rest Home, River's Walk Assisted Living, and from Walla Walla Hospice.

A graveside service will be held at the Dayton City Cemetery on November 11, 2023, at 11 AM. Following the service, family and friends are invited to gather at the Dayton Elementary School Multipurpose Room for lunch. Donations may be made to the Dayton High School Alumni Association, the Christian Aid Center, or Walla Walla Hospice.