Jean Scaglione

Jean Scaglione passed away at her home in Long Beach on Thursday, February 27th, 2025, at nearly 101 years old. She was born on April 23rd, 1924 (sharing a birthday with Shakespeare and Shirley Temple, as she was always quick to tell you) to Harry and Jennie Abbate (née Raffa) in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. She attended Bay Ridge All Girls High School where she excelled in her studies. She went on to work in NYC for Hanover Trust making friendships that lasted a lifetime (a long lifetime). On June 19th,1949, Jean married her husband, Frank, after only nine months of courting. They celebrated an incredible 66 years together. They raised five children in Bayonne, New Jersey, where Frank was a butcher while Jean helped out in the store—and was probably responsible for everything running smoothly. In 1978, they purchased a home in Long Beach, NY, and loved living two blocks from the ocean. The boardwalk and the beach were important in their lives, as was building community and social connections. They also enjoyed trips to Florida in the winter for the sun and fun. Many friends were made there, friends who remained loyal throughout the years. Jean and Frank’s family grew to include nine grandchildren and eight great- grandchildren. Jean was the center of her family and of her community. Given her deep love of children, she volunteered at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in the Religious Education department for many years. She was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society at her church as well. Jean was also very proud to have been a member of two bowling leagues into her eighties. She was famous for her cooking, and was even known to swap eggplant parm for appliance repair on more than one occasion. Jean would sit for hours at her kitchen table, always with offerings of food, and entertain, console, and share her time with her grandchildren. Her quick wit, endless trove of stories, and deep compassion for everyone she met made her an integral part of so many lives. Jean will be greatly missed by all who knew her, but she will be remembered with every great meatball, Reader's Digest joke, and episode of Jeopardy they encounter. She is survived by her children: Matthew Scaglione and Barbara Klein, Jeanne Meola, Nancy and Eric Erickson, Frank and Jackie Scaglione, and Paul and Ludy Scaglione. Her grandchildren: Jennifer Meola, Lisa Meola, Dominic Erickson, Matthew and Emily Scaglione, Jessie Scaglione and Toni Papetti, Chris and Caitlin Scaglione, Elizabeth Erickson, Emily Scaglione, and Jenna Scaglione. Her great-grandchildren: Tucker Meola, Francesca Papetti, Alex Erickson, Matthew Scaglione, Luca Meola, Mia Scaglione, Jordan Scaglione, and Sloane Scaglione. She is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews who considered her a second mom: Paula and Peter Bisulca, Carol and Bob Felton, Clara and Ray Pine, Dominick and Kathleen Abbate, Paul and Stacy Abbate and their families. As well as many, many friends.

Family, friends, and all those whose lives Jean touched are invited to her wake at Towers Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 5 th , from 3 – 7 p.m. and her funeral mass at St. Ignatius on Thursday, March 6 th at 10 a.m. followed by interment at Calverton National Cemetery at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, and to honor Jean’s devotion to children, please consider a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital .