Obituaries
November 20, 1937 - January 26, 2021
Ann Irene Pirrello, 83, of Scranton, PA (formerly of Congers, NY) passed away peacefully on January 26, 2021 after sustaining an injury in a fall.
Born on November 20, 1937 to Edward and Cecelia Dempsey in the Howard Beach neighborhood of Queens, NY, Ann’s dream was to start a family of her own one day. She met the love of her life, her husband Tom, after he crashed into her convertible car (on purpose) while entering a toll booth on the Brooklyn Bridge. Together, they raised three children in Congers, New York. Ann worked for many years as an Executive Secretary at Lederle Laboratories in Pearl River, NY. Her most cherished job, however, was being a mother, and she was the most loving mother any child could ever have. After she retired and was an empty nester, she and Tom enjoyed traveling the world together, and Ann wrote beautiful poems. Their other favorite pastime was doting on their grandchildren.
When you ask people to describe Ann, a common theme emerges: she was the kindest, sweetest woman with a heart of gold who put everyone above herself. She was a devout Catholic with a strong faith and an active member of St. Paul’s Church in Congers, NY and, later, Immaculate Conception Parish in Scranton, PA. Ann truly practiced what she preached, as demonstrated by her countless acts of kindness: bringing Communion to nursing home residents, volunteering at a soup kitchen for the homeless, teaching children at Sunday school. She embodied the golden rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.
Ann is survived by her husband of 61 years, Thomas Pirrello of Kingston, PA, her loving daughters, Jennifer (Mick) Cronin of Tunkhannock, PA and Bernadette Pirrello of Carmel, CA, her granddaughter, Cecelia (Mat) Maria of Factoryville, PA, and three grandsons: Aidan (Jordyn) Cronin of Owego, NY, Patrick Cronin of Philadelphia, PA, and Ryan Keating of Carmel, CA. She is also survived by her brother, Edward (Meg) Dempsey of Peoria, AZ. She was predeceased by her son, Stephen Pirrello.
The family wishes to extend their most heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the loving staff of the Memory Impaired Unit at Allied Services Skilled Nursing Center. They are forever grateful to these “angels on earth” who diligently cared for Ann these past years as she suffered from dementia. Under the leadership of Charge Nurse Mary Greenley, she and her 3 North staff personified the utmost compassion and love toward Ann for the entirety of her time with them.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the Memory Impaired Unit at Allied Services Skilled Nursing Center. Checks can be made out to: Allied Services Skilled Nursing Recreation and mailed to: Allied Services Skilled Nursing Center, Recreation for Memory Impaired Unit, 303 Smallacombe Drive, Scranton, PA 18508.
Due to the current healthcare crisis, a memorial Mass and Christian burial will be scheduled and announced at a future date. www.aplitwinfuneralhomes.com
