Jean M. Meagher (Zelinski)

Jean Marie Meagher, 89, of Honesdale, died on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at her home. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Maurice F. Meagher, Jr. The couple married on September 25, 1965.
She is the mother of four children, Lt. Kathryn Marie, Retired Navy Commander Maurice Francis Meagher III and wife Tricia, Retired Navy Lt Commander John Joseph and Margaret Mary and husband Michael Lonergan.
Grandmother of 10, Mackenzie, Abigail, Madison, Elizabeth, and Maureen Meagher, John Patrick, Margaret Kathryn, Michael, Maurice, and Regina Rose Lonergan.

She was the daughter of the late Kathryn (Wasnock) and John Zelinski, former Postmaster at Simpson, PA.

Born in Simpson and is the last survivor of nine siblings including brothers Edward, John, Frances, Joseph, Walter and sisters Rosemary DeAngelis, Violet Oravec and Helen McDermott. She is also survived by a nephew John DeAngelis and nieces Kathleen Oravec, Francine Scalzo, Aileen McDermott, Terry Longworth, and Leslie Zelinski.

Jean graduated from Fell Township High School and was a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Keystone College. Prior to her marriage she was employed in the office of the late Dr. William Newman, Clarks Summit; the office of the late pathologist JJ O’Connor Jr.; Record Librarian at Scranton General Hospital; the office of the late Dr. Mario Valverde and Golden. Her last employment was in the laboratory at Weston Instruments.

While raising her four children she was a stay-at-home mom. Jean volunteered in the schools. She assisted in the preschool and served as President of the Elementary PTA. She was a founding member of the Friends of Track and Field which was instrumental in obtaining the track at Wayne Highlands. She also played an active role in the Friends of both Boys and Girls Basketball.

She was devoted to her children and was fiercely protective of them but understood the importance of their independence and adventurous nature. She never missed a little league, Missy softball, track and field meet, field hockey or basketball game that her children played in.

Jean carried on these same traditions with her grandchildren attending the school activities and sporting events, sometimes traveling hours to attend them.

In her church, St. John’s and St. Mary’s, she was a certified CCD Teacher, served two terms as President of the Altar and Rosary Society, served on the Executive Committee along with serving as Chairman for most of the functions of the Society. Jean was also very active in the Diocesan Bishop’s Appeal.

In her community, she served as the first female on the Board of Trustees at Farview State Hospital for many years after being appointed by the late Governor Milton Shapp. She took an adamant position in keeping Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale when efforts were made to move it out of town. She served on the Election Board for over 50 years and served as a Democratic Committee Woman. Jean served as a member of the Board of Trustees at the Wayne County Historical Society and on the Board of the Creative Arts Council.

Jean loved her Rosary and prayed it daily. Her favorite book was the American Dictionary.

Among the things she enjoyed most was visiting with her grandchildren and participating in all their activities and attending all of their sporting events.

Jean and Maurice enjoyed traveling and did so by car, airplane, and ship. They drove cross country on several occasions by way of both the Northern and Southern routes. They attempted to visit all of the states and historical sites along the way.

Traveling by airplane they visited the following countries: Canada, Italy, Africa, Spain, Ireland and Greece

By ship they went on 29 cruises leaving from several cities, including New York, New Orleans, and Boston.

They also traveled with the Cotler Team visiting Casinos in all parts of the country.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to her great friend and companion Sonia Kramer, and all the caregivers of Wayne Memorial Hospice, Charlene, Jen, Jessica, Margaret, Samantha, Amanda, and Anna.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, June 19th at St. John the Evangelist Church in Honesdale at 10 am. Interment will follow in St. John’s Cemetery, Honesdale. Friends may visit Hessling Murray Funeral Home, 428 Main St. Honesdale on Sunday, 2 to 5.

Memorial donations may be made to St. John’s the Evangelist Church, Honesdale, Pa.