Jeannie Lu (Dunlap) Trego, 81, passed away on February 20, 2022 after a long battle with Parkinson’s. Jeannie was born on May 6, 1940 in St. Albans, West Virginia with her twin sister Mary Patricia McCarter at the Dunn Hospital, to the late James Dunlap and Maxine DiBattista. They were the first set of twins delivered at Dunn.
During her childhood, Jeannie, lived in West Virginia, Ohio and Georgia, then moved in 1956 to Delaware. She was a graduating member of the Conrad High class of 1958. Jeannie met the love of her life, Don in 1959 while working as a car hop at the Chuck Wagon Restaurant. They married in 1961 and had 2 children, Debbie and Donna. Jeannie was known as an extremely talented creative person and inventor. She was granted a patent in 1984. She started a cake business in the 1970’s, decorating cakes, some of which were distributed through the Shop-N-Bag in Newark. She decorated cakes for almost 25 years. Later, she, along with her husband opened First State Motorsports in Newport where they sold racing memorabilia. She enjoyed spending time with her family at her home away from home in East Waterford, PA. In her free time, she loved to cook, bake, make stained glass, sew, do scrapbooking, flower arranging and interior decorating. She loved photography and could usually be found behind the camera. She took still life and videos of races at Airport Speedway but her best work was capturing the faces of family, especially her grandchildren and anyone she met.
She is preceded in death by her parents and granddaughter Jessica Wood. She is survived by her husband Don, daughters Debbie Pilli (Louis), Donna Wood (Don); her sisters Patti McCarter and Judy Alatumi; grandsons Ryan Pilli, Eric Pilli, Brody Wood and Austin Wood; great grandchildren Jordan, Reilly and Emmett. Also left to cherish her memory are numerous nieces and nephews who loved Aunt Jeannie dearly.
Family and friends are welcome on Thursday March 3, from 9:30 -11am with a service at 11am at McCrery and Harra Funeral Home, 3710 Kirkwood Highway Wilmington 19808. Burial will follow in All Saints Cemetery.
