Grace C. Pastore
January 2, 2023

Grace C. Pastore (94) died peacefully at home on Jan. 2, in the presence of her children and medical care givers. Born on Sept. 16, 1928, daughter of the late Rosario and Theresa Pantano Marchese; she was until Jan. 12, 2016 married for 65 years to her devoted husband, the late James J. Pastore.
Grace was in excellent health most of her life. It wasn't until age 69 that she finally retired from her last job as a clerk in the Lackawanna County Office of Judicial Records. Grace exercised five times a week (at the YMCA) and bowled (league treasurer) until she was 89. Grace was also an accomplished painter with her rendition of Van Gogh's Starry Night, the family's favorite.
Grace enjoyed traveling. At least two and up to four vacations (per year) were the norm along with monthly visits to the casino with an occasional overnight bus trip thrown in for good measure. Along with her husband Jim, Grace's greatest joy was the time she spent with family and friends. Grace and James were usually present whenever the grandkids got together to swim or play sports. And when it came to parties, Grace and James were the last to leave and until then, either on the dance floor or having a conversation over drinks.
Grace was an instant hit with everyone she met. After two days, half the passengers on the cruise knew her name. No matter the destination (Vegas, the Caribbean or Europe) she always had a great time even when the dice and cards didn't favor her and her gambling partner son. When not on vacation, Grace was usually at one of her three favorite places: Center Street where she grew up, Blakely Street where she raised her family and Lake Quinn where summers seemed to last forever. During the other three seasons, Grace's meticulous monitoring of educational tasks and progress resulted in all of her children and grandchildren obtaining various levels of college degrees. Like her husband, mother, brothers and sisters before her, she was a very generous woman.
Throughout all her illness, Grace worried more about the colds and coughs of her six young great-grandchildren than her own medical issues. Grace was very fortunate to have as her primary care givers her three daughters and niece, Ann Marchese, who were there every day and many nights for months on end. Filling in the gaps (for Grace's daughters and niece) were numerous aides, three of whom became friends while fulfilling their role as caregivers. The family would like to thank all of aids nurses and doctors for their excellent care.
Grace is survived by her four children: son, William and wife, Donna, Clarks Summit; daughters, Joann Rude, Gouldsboro; Theresa Pastore and husband, Lewis Robinson, Forkston; Doreen Pastore and husband, Steven Cosman, Brewster N.Y.; two nieces who were raised as live-in daughters upon the death of their mother (Lucy Pastore Marchese) Mary Naglak, Olyphant; and Ann Marchese and husband, Edward Prendergast, Dunmore; and her nephew, Joseph M. Marchese, who was a son in all but name (wife, Kim, Dunmore); four grandchildren, Andrea Pastore and husband, Peter Rezanka, Clarks Green; James Rude and wife, Patty, Madison Twp.; Jack Rude and wife, Cheryl, Media, Pa.; and Michele Pastore, South Abington Twp.; six great-grandchildren, Avery, Penny, Daphne and Jackson Rude, Michael and Lucy "Grace" Rezanka; two sisters-in-law, Mary Pastore and Vera Vinciquerra; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews.
Grace was preceded in death by two sisters, Catherine Karzenoski and Angeline Marchese; four brothers, Salvatore, Joseph, Dominick and Michael Marchese; and her son-in-law, Jack M. Rude.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Grace's name to the Lackawanna Blind Association, 228 Adams Ave., Scranton 18503.
Funeral services will be conducted Friday with a 9:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Anthony of Padua Church, 208 Smith St., Dunmore. Family and friends may pay their respects Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Morell-LaBelle Funeral Home, 301 Chestnut St., Dunmore. Interment, Dunmore Cemetery.
Please visit the funeral home website for information or to leave an online condolence.