Jean Scalessa
WILMINGTON - Emily “Jean” Scalessa passed away on March 2 surrounded by the love and support of her family. Jean was born in Penns Grove,
New Jersey, on July 29, 1942. She was the third of five children born to Joseph and Edith Stephano.
Jean spent most of her childhood years in the vicinity of St. Edward’s Parish in the Northeast area of Philadelphia, surrounded by an extended Italian family that lovingly transmitted an appreciation for music, dancing, making homemade pasta and homemade wine, and for living happily without much to live on. The Stephano family moved to Wilmington, Delaware in August 1953. Jean entered St. Elizabeth’s High School where she joined the Glee Club and enrolled at the Wilmington School of Music as a piano student. It was in her senior year that Jean had her first opportunity to move her musical talent from the family parlor to the stage. With her natural alto voice she landed the lead in “Oklahoma’ which ultimately led her to receiving a scholarship to attend the Catholic University of America School of Music. Once there she was invited to join a select group of singers called “The Cardinalairs”, performing at many signature events in Washington DC and New York. Upon graduation, Jean married Donald Scalessa and had two children, Donald and Stefanie, and accepted a position at St. John’s Military Academy as the choral director. The family moved many times and, in each location, Jean quickly identified opportunities for developing her musicality. In 1980 the family returned to Wilmington and Jean was immediately offered the position of choral director at Salesianum High School and St. Elizabeth’s. It was also during this time that Jean launched a talented choral group called “The Delaware Singers”. Her dream was to ‘grow culture’ throughout the area and to improve the quality and diversity of entertainment options in her hometown. In 1988 she was offered the position as Director of Music Ministry at St. Anthony’s where she not only infused a greater love of the classical Italian tradition into special “Feast Day” liturgical celebrations, but she enhanced the secular side of the Italian Festival by promoting a more comprehensive cultural experience. This led to the launching of “Arianna”, which was created to promote Italian culture for all ages through musical performances highlighting composers and performers from Italy. While at St. Anthony’s Jean worked to create a ‘spirit of prayerfulness’ through music, and devoted her time to developing and encouraging young people to participate in the music liturgy. Many of Jean’s grade school students became so inspired and encouraged by her that they have continued on to become professional music ministers and musicians of their own. After retiring from St. Anthony’s in 2007, Jean continued to work in ministry part-time at St. Ann’s and then eventually playing the organ at St. Elizabeth’s. Jean was an art enthusiast, an avid learner, tremendous cook, and traveler. She was genuine. She took the time to ask people their names and where they were from. She loved to laugh and was a master at welcoming you into her home and her heart. She was a true child of God and trusted Him to guide her inner voice. Jean is survived by her son Donald Scalessa, daughter Stefanie Scalessa-Whitby (Lou), her sisters Concetta Dallas, Mary Jane McInnis (Don), and her brother, Joseph Stephano. Her much loved grandchildren, Alicia Scalessa-Abreu ( Jeff), Nicole Scalessa, Donald Scalessa, and her great grandchildren, Cameron Abreu, and Lola Abreu. To our loving Mother, Grandmother, Sister, continue to be the “eternal optimist’ and pray for us as we pray for you.
Family and friends are invited to visit at the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Road, Pike Creek on Friday, March 8 from 3:00 – 7:00PM.
An additional visitation will be held at St. Elizabeth Church, Cedar and Clayton Streets, Wilmington on Saturday, March 9 from 11:00 – 11:45AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00PM. Interment will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Jean may be made to the Capuchin Poor Clare Sisters, c/o St. Veronica Giuliani Monastery, 816 N. Jefferson Street, Wilmington, DE 19801.
To view a complete obituary for Jean, visit www.dohertyfh.com