Elissa Garofalo
Peacefully and gracefully, Elissa M. Garofalo, formerly of Jim Thorpe, PA, passed away on February
15, 2023, at age 65. Born in Scranton, PA, daughter of Matthew A. Garofalo and Maria Morreale Garofalo, Elissa was a graduate of Abington Heights High School and Penn State University.
Elissa recently retired as Executive Director of the Delaware & Lehigh (D&L) National Heritage Corridor. Prior to the D&L, Elissa co-owned Blue Mountain Sports in Jim Thorpe and was one of America's first Main Street Managers. She pioneered efforts that led to Jim Thorpe's Broadway being named one of the Great Places of America by the American Planning Association. Elissa had an enormous positive impact across the entire heritage area, in individual towns, and to the people she worked with.Elissa was a champion of a sober lifestyle and loved being active outdoors, traveling, new experiences and local history. However, Elissa's greatest pride and joy were her children, Maggie D'Angelo and Jay Marsden, who she adored immensely as well as her recent grandson, Cameron. Elissa would light up a room with her infectious smile. If you were a friend of Elissa's, it was for life. Elissa, along with a special group of loving, loyal and dedicated friends, called themselves "The Backwoods Babes". Her kitchen was a sanctuary for delicious meals. A favorite annual holiday event she would host was the production of Italian cannoli. Surviving are her children, Mary M. "Maggie" D'Angelo, husband Daniel and grandson Cameron of Sparta, NJ and Thomas J. "Jay" Marsden IV and wife Meredith of Ft. Washington, PA, along with the father of her children Thomas J. Marsden III of Jim Thorpe, PA. Also surviving are three brothers: Richard and wife, Nancianne of Clarks Summit, PA, Roland and wife, Barbara of Boca Raton, FL, Samuel and wife, Andrea of Clarks Summit, PA, along with 5 nieces and 6 nephews. Elissa also had two brothers that preceded her in death, Angelo (wife Marise) and Matthew (wife Joyce). The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Cheryl Kunkle, who in the past few years provided Elissa with a peaceful living environment. Memorial services will be held this spring. An extended obituary noting Elissa's many accomplishments can be found online at: https://bit.ly/emgarofalo. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider donations to the D&L trail in Elissa's honor. Contributions can be made online at: https://rb.gy/tppliu.