Richard Polydor Delude 1929-2022
Nancy Jeanne (Reynolds) Delude 1932-2016
On Thursday March 31st, Richard decided it was time to go dancing with his wife Nancy.
He was born in Flint, Michigan on September 10, 1929 to Pauline and Fredrick Delude and was raised in Salem Massachusetts. It was in Salem where he met and married his wife Nancy in 1951. Together they loved to swing dance to big band music and raise their four children.
Richard was an Army Veteran and served in Germany during the Korean War from 1951-1953. He then began working for Parker Brothers Games in Salem.
In 1961 he received a management position with Parker Brothers Games and was transferred to the new plant Des Moines Iowa. He then retired after 20+ years and became a self-employed Sales Rep with the Kansas City Gift Mart.
Richard grew up in the Episcopal church in Salem and was also a Mason. In Des Moines he was a member of St Timothy's Episcopal Church where he enjoyed singing in the choir. He also served as a committee chairman with the YMCA and was a member of the Chamber of Commerce. Richard loved an audience and enjoyed playing his many harmonicas for anyone who would listen!
Nancy was born in Boston to Alice and Myron Reynolds on November 6, 1932, and was also raised in Salem.
She remained a homemaker until their children were in school and then held management positions including managing the Urbandale Iowa Golf and Country Club. She later worked at Iowa Lutheran Hospital as a medical secretary and also at Baptist Hospital in Kansas City. She was a member of the DAR.
Richard and Nancy also achieved their dream of owning their own business and opened Candlelight Unlimited Gifts.
They then moved to the Kansas City area in 1988 to be closer to Richards KC office.
Richard was preceded in death by his beloved wife Nancy (2016), son Rick (2015) and granddaughter Ashley (2006).
Richard and Nancy are survived by their children Nancy, Stephen (Theresa), Donna and Nancy's sister Lynda Coffill (Tom) of Salem. They also leave behind 7 grandchildren Donald, Allison, Christopher, Vanessa, Thaddeus, Zachary, Nathaniel, and 5 great grandchildren who all adored them.
A private visitation will be held on April 10, 2022 and the family will then take them home to Salem later this year.
Richard and Nancy will be greatly missed by all. But we will fondly remember Richard for his great sense of humor and Nancy for her fiery Irish spirit! As Richard would say, "whoop-de-doo" and "toodaloo!"
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