Tina Fallon (September 16, 1917 – January 27, 2011), born Evelyn Kilton Peele, was an American politician who served in the Delaware House of Representatives for the 39th district from 1978 until her retirement in 2006. Before serving in the legislature, Fallon was a teacher in the Seaford area. In 2007, the Woodland Ferry was named The Tina Fallon in honor of the former representative.[3]
Tina Fallon | |
|---|---|
 Evelyn Peele (Tina Fallon), from the 1938 yearbook of Meredith College | |
| Member of the Delaware House of Representatives from the 39th district | |
| In office 1978 – November 8, 2006 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas A. Temple |
| Succeeded by | Daniel Short |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Evelyn Kilton Peele September 16, 1917 Brogden, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | January 27, 2011 (aged 93)[1] California, U.S. |
| Party | Republican[2] |
| Profession | Teacher, Politician |
Biography
editFallon was born in Brogden, North Carolina, the daughter of George Peele and Lillian Langston Peele.[4] She graduated from Meredith College in Raleigh in 1938.[5] She earned a master's degree from the University of Delaware.[6]
Fallon was a math and science teacher.[7] She was president of the Seaford Education Association.[8] She served in the Delaware House of Representatives for almost thirty years, from 1978 until she retired in 2006.[9] She was assigned to the Education, Natural Resources, and Agriculture committees in her first term,[8] the Business/Corporations/Commerce committee in 1999,[10] and the Appropriations committee in 2001.[11] Concerns were raised about her age in her later terms; she replied in 1998 that "I am 80 and bragging about it. Age brings advantages. If you have good health, the time, the energy and the information, age is no distraction."[12]
Peele married fellow teacher James Dominic Fallon Jr. in 1938.[4] They had four sons.[8] Her husband died in 1982. Fallon died on January 27, 2011, at the age of 93, at an assisted living home in California.[1] Flags in the state were flown at half-mast in her memory.[13] The Woodland Ferry was renamed The Tina Fallon in her honor in 2007, and she attended the new ferry's christening ceremony in 2008.[14][15] A historical marker was placed at the site in 2012.[16]
References
edit- 1 2 "Flags lowered to commemorate life of Rep. Tina Fallon". Dover Post. Delaware Online. January 31, 2011. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
- ↑ "Tina K. Fallon". Center for American Women and Politics. Rutgers University. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
- ↑ MacArthur, Ron (February 24, 2023). "Woodland Ferry dates back nearly 300 years". The Cape Gazette. Archived from the original on May 2, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
- 1 2 "Evelyn Peele is Bride of J. D. Fallon". Asheville Citizen-Times. July 31, 1938. p. 21. Retrieved May 8, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Meredith College, The Oak Leaves (1938 yearbook): 65.
- ↑ Moore, Robert (August 29, 1998). "Republicans boast experience, solid record". The News Journal. p. 3. Retrieved May 8, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Jackson, Patrick (November 16, 2005). "Seaford Rep. Tina Fallon to retire after 28 years". The Daily Times. p. 2. Retrieved May 8, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 3 Smith, Grayson (October 17, 1980). "Sussex County political races unusually quiet this year". The Morning News. p. 17. Retrieved May 8, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Cohen, Celia (November 13, 2005). "State Rep. Tina Fallon is Ready to Retire". Delaware Grapevine. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
- ↑ "House Committee Assignments". The News Journal. January 17, 1999. p. 17. Retrieved May 8, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Legislative Committee Assignments". The News Journal. January 13, 2001. p. 4. Retrieved May 8, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Fallon beats ex-Seaford mayor". The News Journal. September 13, 1998. p. 12. Retrieved May 8, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "State flags lowered for former Rep. Fallon". WHYY. February 1, 2011. Archived from the original on April 23, 2025. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
- ↑ Murray, Molly (October 31, 2008). "Woodland ferry floats to new era". The Daily Times. p. 14. Retrieved May 8, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Sharp, Andrew (June 25, 2023). "Meet the Family Behind the Woodland Ferry in Delaware". Delaware Today. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
- ↑ "The Tina Fallon". Delaware Public Archives - State of Delaware. Retrieved May 8, 2026.