Jean J. Gontarski, 98, of Scranton, passed on Friday at St. Mary’s Villa, Elmhurst. She was the widow of Stanley Gontarski, and the couple were married 63 years at the time of his passing. Born in Scranton, Jean was the daughter of the late Louis and Mary Kokoszka Owcarz. Jean was a 1943 graduate of Scranton Technical High School and member of the National Honor Society. Jean was a member of St. Stanislaus Polish National Catholic Church, and a member of the church ANS, MK Societies as well as the Chopin Choir. Jean had been employed as a bookkeeper for the Gontarski Coal Company and the Gontarski Ranch, as well as WARM radio, as a radio announcer and translator, and for the 1st National Bank as an interpreter of the Polish language. She is survived by one son, Joseph S. Gontarski and wife Patricia, Hallstead, PA, two daughters; Marie Van Graafeiland and husband, Gary, Rochester, New York, Susan Eddleston and husband, David, Hallstead, PA, four grandchildren; Kate Van Graafeiland, Liz Van Graafeiland, Christina Gontarski, Emmy Pompey, and husband Ian, one great granddaughter, Sophia Jean Pompey, numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews. Jean was predeceased by her husband, Stanley, parents, and six siblings, Frank L. Owcarz, Josephine Staskiewicz, Ann P. Kazmierczak, Helen Augustin, Violette Peterson, and Joseph F. Hofsash. Jean enjoyed gardening, cooking, sewing, quilting and buying fabric. A special thank you to my caregiver and guardian angel, Julia Bannon, for always being there to help me, and Joe, Susan, David, Chrissy and Emmy. Thank you!! Thank you to Home Instead and St. Mary’s Villa and staff.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, at 10 am by Prime Bishop Anthony Mikovsky at St. Stanislaus Polish National Catholic Cathedral, 529 East Locust Street, Scranton. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery. The viewing for family and friends will be on Wednesday, 4 to 7 pm in the Edward J. Chomko Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 262 Railroad Avenue, West Scranton
