Eleanor Scalese

Eleanor Forgione Scalese, a longtime resident of Dunmore, died peacefully at Elan Skilled Nursing and Rehab in Scranton after declining for more than eight years from the effects of dementia. She was 90 years old.

A “homebody” by nature, Eleanor lived most of her life within a mile of where she grew up. Born and raised in Scranton, she was the daughter of the late Carmen and Grace Forgione and the wife of the late Ross J. Scalese. She graduated from Scranton Central High School in 1952 and the former Anthracite Business School in 1953. Prior to her marriage in 1958, she worked as a secretary for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Scranton, and except for a part-time stint in retail at Sears, Roebuck & Co. in the early 1960s, she spent the rest of her adult life as a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, and as a caring daughter, sister, aunt, neighbor, friend and charitable volunteer.

Everyone who knew Eleanor remembers her countless unassuming acts of kindness, whether they were gifts of home-baked cookies at Christmastime; visits to relatives and friends in hospitals and nursing homes; casseroles of lasagna at the death of loved ones; or greeting cards marking birthdays, graduations and anniversaries. She never missed the wake or funeral of someone she knew who had died or the opportunity to console their families.

Eleanor taught her children the importance of working hard and always doing the right thing, and her diligent supervision of their upbringing and schooling contributed significantly to the many successes in their personal and professional lives. She particularly impressed her children and friends with the lifelong consistency of her religious devotion. She received all of her sacraments at St. Rocco Parish in the Bunker Hill section of Dunmore, and until she moved into assisted living and skilled nursing facilities, she was a devout member of SS. Anthony & Rocco Parish, also in Dunmore. Eleanor said the rosary every day and solicited God’s care for numerous people with the aid of a thick stack of prayer cards. After her husband Ross died, she went to daily Mass as long as the roads weren’t too slippery with snow or ice, and every year she drove to West Side for all nine days of the St. Ann Novena. Eleanor’s religious piety led her to active volunteer work later in life. For many years she volunteered with Meals on Wheels, as well as at the former Holy Family Residence near Marywood. The Little Sisters of the Poor who ran Holy Family were so impressed by her dedication that they invited her to become a Jeanne Jugan Associate, a kind of lay member of their religious order, named after their French founder and patron saint. Also during her “golden years,” Eleanor spent many happy hours as a member of the SS. Anthony & Rocco Altar and Rosary Society, socializing with her friends at meetings, baking cookies for fundraising events, or volunteering to serve in various booths at the annual parish picnic.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband, Ross J. Scalese; her son, Stephen F. Scalese; her sister Ann Lucille Gumble; and her dear, longtime friend, Angie Valvano. She is survived by her children, Rev. Mark Scalese, S.J., Charlotte, NC; Dr. Ross Scalese and his partner, Vince Pinto, Miami Beach, FL; Christopher Scalese and his wife, Mary Beth, Dunmore; Patricia Scalese and her husband, Christopher Fusco, Belle Meade, NJ; Matthew Scalese and his wife Kristen, Moscow; and her sister, Mary Ann Williams, Rancho Cucamonga, CA. She is also survived by her grandson Robert Kudrich, his wife, Kelsey, and great-granddaughter, Charlotte; granddaughter Abigail Kudrich; grandsons Ross and Paul Scalese; granddaughters Mia and Emma Scalese, and grandson Noah Scalese; sister-in-law Angie Mackarey; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Eleanor’s family wishes to thank the many dedicated aides, nurses and staff who cared for her at St. Mary’s Villa Personal Care Residence in Elmhurst, Elan Gardens in Clarks Summit, and Elan Skilled Nursing and Rehab in Scranton.

Viewing hours will be on Thursday, January 29, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. and from 8:00-9:00 a.m. on Friday, January 30 at Vanston & James Funeral Home, 1401 Ash St., Scranton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, January 30, at 9:30 a.m. at SS. Anthony and Rocco Parish, 208 Smith St., Dunmore. Interment will follow at Cathedral Cemetery in Scranton.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Scalese Family Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Scranton Preparatory School 1000 Wyoming Ave Scranton, PA 18509.