Obituaries

Lori A. Zepponi of Scranton passed away Thursday at the Regional Hospital of Scranton. She was 70 years young.

She was born on March 23, 1951, and was the daughter of the late Valero and Natalie (Colacichi) Zepponi. Raised in Spotswood, New Jersey, Lori was a graduate of South River High School, Middlesex College, and Wilkes University, where she earned both her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in business marketing in 1997. She led a successful career in sales, covering NYC territory for 26 years. During retirement Lori became a familiar and beloved face to the customers at her daughter’s business, Jessee’s Place Ice Cream, in Scranton.

Well-educated and well-read, she was an amazing conversationalist with the ability to connect with anyone she had talked to. Through that connection, she was able to forge deep and meaningful relationships with countless friends throughout her life. Her work ethic was unrivaled and her determination to ensure her family wanted for nothing was inspiring.

Lori faced unbearable tragedy in her life, with the tragic and unexpected deaths of her 21-year-old daughter, Valerie, due to carbon monoxide poisoning in 2000, and the death of her son, Ryan, in 2018 after an automobile accident. Despite the hardships, her continued strength helped define her character and served as an inspiration to all of those who faced similar hardships.

To simply know Lori was to adore her. Her legacy will be carried on by her daughter, Tara; she will never be forgotten.

She is survived by her daughter and best friend, Tara E. Kojsza, of Scranton; her brother, Richard Zepponi, of Scranton; and her grandchildren, Aydan Ryan and Giuliana Valerie.

Funeral services are set to begin on Wednesday at 9:15 a.m. from the Kevin K. Kearney Funeral Home Inc., 125 N. Main Ave., Scranton, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, 1403 Jackson St. in West Scranton, to be celebrated by the Rev. Richard Fox, pastor. Burial will follow the Mass at St. Francis Cemetery in Eynon.

Family and friends are welcome to say their goodbyes on Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.