Jean Ann Rose (Simansky) Calabro

Jean Calabro, 79, Archbald, passed away peacefully, with her beloved family holding her, Sunday morning, at Hospice of the Sacred Heart’s inpatient unit in Dunmore. Her husband Joseph preceded her in 2004.

Born in Throop, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Genevieve Korczakowski Simansky and a graduate of Throop High School.  After getting married, Jean and Joseph moved to Archbald to begin their family. Besides her husband and family, Jean had two other loves. She was fascinated with the color purple and forever right to the end, a devoted fan of Elvis Presley. She loved purple so much, the exterior of her house was painted lilac and she always had a purple splash of color in her hair.

She was locally known for her beautiful Christmas displays and filling her yard with hundreds of multi-colored Easter eggs. Families would come from near and far just to see her house and many of them would stop to ask if they could have their children’s picture taken in front of the enormous wood cutout of a bunny, masterfully created by her husband, Joe, a talented craftsman. The Scranton Times interviewed her one year about her Easter display and called her the “Easter Egg Lady”.  As she said to the Times, “I am an unusual person. My family thinks I’m wacky.”

Wacky she was, and that was her endearing quality. After having travelled all over the world with her husband Joe, and nine times to Hawaii, she could never sit still. Prior to her illness, she walked regularly, exercised religiously, and loved Zumba with her friends at Racqueteer’s Gym in Mayfield. She went to yoga in Jessup and once each month, she went to the Mohegan Sun with her friends, Dorothy and Pat. Her next-door neighbor Louise, was also a long-standing friend who, was always ready to lend a hand and chat back and forth regularly over the fence. The neighborhood will never be the same without Jean.

In her time of need, these friends of hers all banded together to help her through this most trying time of her life. She was also lovingly taken care of by her son, Brian and wife, Julie, and daughters, Gwen and Nadine. Every morning, she looked forward to a cup of coffee, a pastry and some time watching ‘Leave it to Beaver’ with Brian. The family would like to thank Lisa and the staff at Hospice of the Sacred Heart along with Lorraine for their services, especially in these last few weeks.

Surviving are daughters Gwen Vosburg and husband Randolph, Dickson City; Nadine Harvey and husband Walter, Springville; sons Brian and wife Julie, Olyphant; Dion and wife, Terry, Archbald; grandchildren Crystal Lesh and husband Michael; Ashley Vosburg and fiancé Brian; Adam Harvey and wife Danielle; Blayre Harvey and partner Alyssa; Matthew and girlfriend Lindsey; Bryan and Olivia Calabro; Nicole and Sarah Calabro; and her great-grandchildren Logan, Ryker and Havyn. Jean is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, as well as friends Gaetano and Nancy Calabro, Archbald; sister-in-law Catherine Williams, Syracuse; and several nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated Friday, 9:30 a.m., Christ the King Parish, St Thomas Aquinas Church, 429 Church Street, Archbald, with interment to follow at the church cemetery. Family will receive friends 5-8 p.m. Thursday at the Louis J. Rapoch Funeral Home, 420 Church Street, Archbald.

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