Delphine Operle, 81, formerly of Paducah, passed away Monday August 14, 2017 at her sister’s home in St Louis, MO.
Delphine was born in Ste. Genevieve, MO in 1935 to William & Mildred (Bocklage) Brinkman where she graduated as Valedictorian from Valle High School. She attended St. Louis University and graduated from St. John’s Hospital School of Radiological Technology.
After marrying Delphine moved to Paducah where the family grew with the addition of two children and she joined the family company where she managed the office and helped grow the outdoor advertising business and helped create the crane rental division.
In the 1970’s, Delphine’s extraordinary skill in business and finance secured her the coveted Foundation of Banking Diploma from the American Institute of Banking while she was employed with Peoples First National Bank & Trust Co as the marketing representative.
She later became Administrative Assistant to the President of Igert Industries, Inc., a river towing company.
After the election of Gerry B. Montgomery as the Mayor of the City of Paducah she joined the city government as the Mayor’s Administrative Assistant to help advance the visionary endeavor toward revitalizing the Paducah’s historic downtown and riverfront. Delphine served under two city Mayors to help achieve the goals of energizing both the business and cultural foundations of Paducah.
In 1997 Delphine realized her passion for promoting Paducah by being named Executive Director of the Paducah/McCracken County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau until her retirement in 2001.
Delphine was active in numerous organizations including the Paducah Charity League, the American Institute of Banking, the Business & Professional Women’s organization, and Kentucky’s Western Waterland. She was named a Woman of Achievement for Kentucky in 1990 and served on the Symphony League Board, the River Heritage Museum Board, the Kentucky Tourism Council and the Paducah Rotary Club where she was named a Paul Harris Fellow. In expressing her love of and enthusiasm for Paducah she became one of the famed “red coated” Paducah Ambassadors which welcomed all peoples to her adopted city.
Delphine combined both remarkable people and organizational skills in representing Paducah to Presidents, tourists, business people, and citizens from all walks of life. She mentored scores of men and women in becoming the best of who they could be as employees, public servants and citizens. She gave tirelessly to her church, St Thomas More through her service with the Pastoral Council, the Paducah Deanery and the Diocesan Pastoral Council. Photography, music, gardening, sailing and antiquing served to refresh and energize her spirit for service to the community.
Delphine is survived by a son, Karl Operle of Silver Springs Maryland and his partner, David Nicholas; a daughter, Christine Operle Knight; two grandsons, Christopher and Codi of Florida; a sister and care giver Anna Marie Dunn of St. Louis, Missouri and one brother William F. Brinkman Jr, and wife Sybille of Princeton, New Jersey. She also leaves numerous nieces, nephews and lifelong friends.
A memorial mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 19, 2017 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church with Rev. J. Patrick Reynolds officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, August 18, 2017 at Milner & Orr Funeral and Cremation Services of Paducah.
Expressions of sympathy celebrating the life of Delphine may be sent to: Glenmary Home Missioners, P.O. Box 465618 Cincinnati, OH 45246-5618 or the Paducah Symphony Orchestra, 222 Kentucky Ave., Suite 10 Paducah, KY 42003.
You may leave a message or light a candle at www.milnerandorr.com
