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Jean M. Sullivan Nealon

October 5, 1926 — June 29, 2025

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Past Services

Visitation

Church of St. Gregory

Sunday, July 6, 2025

2:00 - 5:00 pm (Eastern time)

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Funeral Service

Church of St. Gregory

Monday, July 7, 2025

Starts at 10:00 am (Eastern time)

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Jean M. Sullivan Nealon

Jean Sullivan Nealon, 98, passed away peacefully in her home on Sunday morning surrounded by her loving family. She was predeceased by her husband, U.S. District Judge William J. Nealon, the love of her life throughout their 70 years of marriage. Their deep love and affection for each other was a constant in our lives, and it comforts us knowing they are together once again.
Born in the Hill Section of Scranton on October 5, 1926, Jeanie Sullivan was the youngest of six children born to the late John M. and Josephine Lynn Sullivan. She was a graduate of Scranton Central High School, where she was voted “Miss Central” by her peers. She attended Marywood University and worked for the Scranton Electric Company until her marriage to Bill “Red” Nealon in 1947. Together they moved to Washington, DC where Bill pursued his studies at Catholic University School of Law. Upon his graduation in 1950, they returned to Scranton with two children in tow. Eight more children would arrive in short order over the ensuing years.
Jean was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother; and she was completely fulfilled by those roles. Her family was the center of her life, and she never failed to let us know it. Somehow, she managed to make every member of her large family feel special, noticed, and deeply loved. Every Sunday she gathered her ever-growing family together for dinner, which she knew was less about the meal as it was nurturing family relationships and creating cherished memories for four generations.
Sundays were when birthdays were celebrated, engagements and future births were announced, accomplishments were cheered, laughter was plentiful, and overwhelming grief was shared. She kept everything and everyone together.
Her love and kindness extended beyond her family, and the ease with which she connected with people was remarkable. She was a prolific letter writer who remembered birthdays, special occasions, and losses with a personal note in her distinctive small and precise handwriting. She rarely left her home without a plate or two of her chocolate peanut butter brownies, which she gave to whomever crossed her path that day – a friend, a neighbor, or the employee at the CVS drive through window. Everyone who came into her kitchen was fed - and there were many!
You could always count on a delicious meal and lively conversation due in no small part to her delightful sense of humor. Her steady presence in our kitchen made it the heart of our home.
Throughout her life, Jean was involved with various church and community organizations, most notably the March of Dimes, Sant’ Andrea Society, Lackawanna County Lawyers Auxiliary, and St. Joseph’s Auxiliary. In 2013, she was awarded the NeighborWorks NEPA Governor Robert P. Casey Medal for a Lifetime of Service Award alongside her husband, and in 2016, she served as Grand Marshal of the Scranton St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Jean was a faithful Catholic and a proud Democrat. Later in life she was known to everyone - from her grandchildren to her children’s friends to her husband’s law clerks – as “Nana”. During her life she experienced blessings and tragedy; and despite her sorrows her spirit remained indomitable and her love boundless. She was the strongest person you could ever know, but she wasn't tough. She was gentle and caring – it was her shoulders that we leaned on, cried on, and put our arms around. She was our inspiration and our greatest supporter. Jean was the essence of goodness, selflessness, compassion, humor, and beauty, and we will be forever grateful to have had her in our lives for as long as we did. She blazed so brightly; and she leaves us with beautiful memories that will live on in our hearts forever. We will love and miss her always.
She is survived by her children, William J. Nealon and wife, Nancy, Bryn Mawr; Jeanne Nealon Loftus and husband, Don, Dunmore; Kathleen Nealon Helbig and husband, Atty Thomas, Clarks Green; Judge Terrence R. Nealon and wife, Lisa, Dunmore; and Atty Thomas R. Nealon and wife, Linda, Clarks Summit. She was the proud grandmother of 30 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her beloved daughters and sons, Ann Nealon Farrell, Dr. Robert L. Nealon and daughter-in-law Teresa Fedele Nealon, John P. Nealon, Patricia Nealon Graybill, and Timothy Nealon.
She was also predeceased by her brothers, Colonel John L. Sullivan, USAF and James Sullivan; her sisters, Mary Brennan, Rose Sullivan, and Margy Murphy; her brothers-in-law, Lt Robert L. Nealon, USMC, John P. Nealon, and Atty William T. Malone; and her sister-in-law and best friend, Nancy Nealon Malone.
Her family will celebrate her life in a Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, July 7, at 10:00 a.m. in the Church of St. Gregory, 330 N. Abington Road, Clarks Green, PA 18411. Friends may call on Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at the church. Interment will be at the Cathedral Cemetery in Scranton.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Scranton Preparatory School Memorial Scholarship Fund at 1000 Wyoming Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Vanston & James Funeral Home, Scranton.