Obituaries

Jean (Yacovelli) Hurchick, age 83 and of Scranton, passed away peacefully on Saturday afternoon at Hospice of the Sacred Heart in Dunmore after an illness. Surviving is her beloved husband, Joseph Hurchick Sr. The high school sweethearts who were married on Oct. 12, 1957, most recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.

A lifelong resident of West Scranton, Jean was born on Sept. 18, 1939. Daughter of the late Michael and Jeannie (Micciche) Yacovelli, she was a 1957 graduate of West Scranton High School before marrying Joe and raising her three children. She worked as a sewing machine operator for Mayflower Manufacturing Company in Scranton for 25 years, prior to her retirement. She then transitioned into full-time grandmother, a role she absolutely cherished.

Jean will long be remembered through countless memories and describing her as “very active” is probably understated. She loved to travel, never passing up a trip to Las Vegas. While here locally, she was a longtime bingo player; she was a local league bowler; she was a dedicated shopper who was always perfectly dressed and makeup on-point; and she loved her gambling, from faithfully playing her daily numbers to reserving her seat at the Mohegan Sun during the casino’s most social hours. Some would say that the Pennsylvania Lottery and the Mohegan Sun Casino are looking at a big deficit in revenue moving forward.

Jean was also a die hard fan of both New York’s Giants and Mets; she was an amazing cook who always enjoyed eating Mexican food and drinking a cold Michelob Ultra; and she was an animal lover, especially Golden Retrievers and her cat, “Miss Kitty.” Above all of her hobbies came her family. She was a loyal wife, a loving mother, an adoring grandma, great-grandma and sister who will never be forgotten by her loved ones. Her impact on their lives is immeasurable.

She is also survived by her children, Michael (Mickey) Hurchick and wife, Eileen, of Scranton; Joanne Griffiths and husband, Robert (Bob), of Old Forge; and Joseph Hurchick Jr. and spouse, Scott Harris, of Philadelphia; four grandchildren, Dr. Michael Hurchick and significant other, Bill Freed, of Philadelphia; Nicholas Hurchick and wife, Alyssa, of Scranton; Teddy Griffiths and wife, Brandy, of Lancaster; and Gabrielle Griffiths and significant other, Andrew Wolf, of New York City; three great-grandchildren, Calvin, Nolan and Arlo; a brother, Michael Yacovelli Jr. and wife, Kathy, of Alachua, Fla.; and nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Camille Neto, in 2014.

Jean’s family would like to thank all of her amazing caregivers throughout her illness, especially Hospice of the Sacred Heart staff and nurse Amy and Mountain View Care Center staff and nurse Dave for their collective care, compassion and kindness.

Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday to begin at 9:15 a.m. from the Kevin K. Kearney Funeral Home Inc., 125 N. Main Ave., Scranton, with a 10 a.m. Mass at St. Ann’s Basilica, West Scranton. Burial will follow at the Cathedral Cemetery in Scranton. Family and friends may pay their respects Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Jean’s name to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, c/o 53 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic, PA 18507.