Jeanette Marie Dandino

JEANNIE DANDINO (Jeanette M. Lange), 71, entered into heaven on August 5, 2021, as her reward for a life well-lived in faith, kindness and love, and dedicated to educating children and caring for others. She made a positive difference in the lives of so many people who then carried her enthusiasm for life forward to make the world a better place.
In July, JEANNIE celebrated 49 years of marriage with her loving husband Mike Dandino at their home in St Peters, MO. She considered her most significant accomplishment and greatest joy was to see her sons become kindhearted, intelligent, and responsible men. She is dearly missed by sons Andy Dandino (wife Julie Wittman) and Tony Dandino (wife Stacey Wallace Dandino).
She was the first-born daughter of Thelma Lange and the late Henry Lange, and remains the loved and admired oldest sister of Linda (Michael) Drohlich, Marilyn (Robert) Gallagher, Nancy Lange (Steve) Malysko, Carol (Mark) Bailey and brother James Lange.
Jeannie was the sister-in-law of Dan Dandino. She was reunited in heaven with her late sister-in-law Shirley Ann Dandino and Mike's late parents Dan, Sr. and Mary Dandino.
Jeannie loved her family and looked forward to the frequent get-togethers to celebrate birthdays. She especially enjoyed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter family dinners as the table grew with each addition of nieces and nephews.
Jeannie was an experienced, dedicated teacher filled with enthusiasm for child-centered Catholic education. She was raised in Walnut Park's St Philip Neri parish, graduated from Rosati-Kain High School in 1968 and earned a Bachelor in Education from Southwest Missouri State (now Missouri State) University in Springfield.
Married on July 29, 1972, she began her teaching career at St. Peters school in Kansas City, MO, as Mike went to UMKC School of Law.
She left the classroom in 1978 to raise sons Andy and Tony. She taught Parish School of Religion courses and substituted in KC Catholic grade schools while taking advanced education course work at the University of Missouri at Kansas City.
Jeannie returned to the classroom when they came back to St. Louis for Mike's new job. She taught at St. Jerome in Bissell Hills/Bellefontaine Neighbors from 1985 to 1997, then moved to teach at Ascension Catholic School in Chesterfield.
She was invited to join the Archdiocese Leadership program to advance her leadership skills and to prepare for principal opportunities. She earned a Masters in Administration at Lindenwood University in St Charles. This led to her 17 years as principal at St Joseph Catholic School in Manchester.
Jeannie was loved and respected by students and parents, clergy, teachers and school staff. They recognized her as a dedicated advocate for quality child-centered Catholic education in a positive and nurturing atmosphere.
As a voracious reader herself, she urged parents to read to and with their children as reading readiness that opens the door to the world of books and sound reading habits. Her desire to see students bloom in confidence and communication skills was the core of her role as speech coach that extended even into her retirement. As a volunteer with the Bellarmine Speech League, she played a key role in establishing online grade school speech tournaments during the Covid quarantine.
To honor Jeannie, please read to your kids at an early age and encourage students to participate in speech activities.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the school, church, or charity of your choice in her memory.
Visitation will be Wednesday August 18, 2021, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home, 837 Mid Rivers Mall Dr., St. Peters, MO. Funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, August 19, 2021, at All Saints Catholic Church, 5 McMenamy Road, St Peters, MO. Church services will be streamed live on All Saints' YouTube account. Burial at St. Philippine Cemetery will be private for the family.