Jean Ellen Dineen

GREAT VALLEY — Jean Ellen Dineen, 93, of Great Valley, died Wednesday (Oct. 1, 2025) at the Absolut Care of Allegany.

Born in Middletown, on Oct. 23, 1931, she was the daughter of Floyd and Pauline Wilson Rooks.

Her family lived in several towns, including Hammondsport, Bath and Bolivar throughout the years, until they settled in Great Valley when Jean was a teenager.

After graduating from Ellicottville High School in 1949, she married James “Jim” Dineen, who, with his father, owned The Douglas Dale Dairy Farm. She raised her family on the farm until it was sold to be developed as part of Holiday Valley.

In her youth, Jean was employed a short time at the Salamanca Nursing Home as an aide, and contemporaries said that she was very kind to her patients. At one time, she was reprimanded for spending too much time with the residents in her care.

Mostly though, Jean was a stay-at-home mom, raising four rambunctious boys on the family farm.

Jean will be remembered for her love of bowling, shopping and a good book. She was a member of the Great Valley United Methodist Church, serving as treasurer for several years. Several years later, she attended St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ellicottville and she truly loved her time there.

Jean is survived by three sons, Bruce (Jodi Fuller) Dineen of Salamanca, Dan Dineen of Humphrey and Jeff Dineen of Great Valley; as well as two granddaughters, Allison (Greg Solomon) Dineen of Maryland and Danielle (Jeff Ritter) Wilson, of Little Valley; and a grandson, Justin Dineen of New Hampshire. Also surviving are great-granddaughters, Layla and Delilah Gearhart; and several dear nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to her parents, Jean was predeceased by her husband, Jim; a son, Corey; a brother, Robert Rooks; and two sisters, Juaniita Snider and Lois Fish.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday (Oct. 9, 2025) at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ellicottville.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorial donations be made to Absolut of Allegany.

Arrangements are under the direction of Mentley Funeral Home Inc., 411 Rock City St. in Little Valley, where online condolences may be made at www.mentleyfuneralhome.com.