L. Jean Haas

L. Jean Haas, 89, a South Scranton resident, died Sunday afternoon surrounded by her loving family in the Jewish Home of Eastern Pa. She was the widow of the late August J. Haas, a South Scranton funeral director, who died Sept. 5, 1994. The couple was married for 41 years.

Born in Scranton, she was the daughter of the late George O. and Lydia Greene Klumpp. She was a graduate of Scranton Central High School, class of '45, and was graduated from Marywood College in 1949 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and acquired 24 additional credits at Wilkes University and Indiana University. She was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Church and its Altar and Rosary Society until its closure. She was presently a member of St. John Neumann Parish.

She was a member of Scranton City Chapter DAR, John Hand Chapter Colonial Dames of the XVII Century, PSERS and PSAR organizations, NEA, Lackawanna County Chapter ABWA, University of Scranton Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa and was Kappan of the Year in 2001; American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 948 and the Rebellious Belles and Red Hat Society. Our mother was extremely proud of all of her activities, as she always told us, they were her identity. Other past organizations include, Ladies of St. Mary's Veterans, St. Mary's Mothers Guild, South Catholic Mothers Guild, Central High School PTA, St. Mary's Boy Scouts Mothers Club, the Women Teachers Club, Scranton Education Association, American Federation of Teachers, Nativity Social Club Auxiliary, South Scranton After 50 Club and Nativity Golden Age.

Before her marriage, she taught in Rush High School, Montrose, and Cheltenham High School, Philadelphia. After her marriage in 1952, she assisted her husband and her son, Gus, in the operation of their funeral home and she raised their five children. After the children were grown, she returned to her love of educating students by being employed by Scranton School District. She taught English, Latin, Spanish and social studies in East Scranton Intermediate, North Intermediate and West Scranton Intermediate, eventually retiring from Scranton Central High School in 1988.

Jean loved to visit the cultures she taught about, to see people in their local environment, she firmly believed that by visiting other countries it would help her to understand people's behavior. Her trips included visits to England, Ireland, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Tangiers, Hawaii, Nassau, Bermuda, Canada and Puerto Rico. Jean was a loving daughter, devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, whose light will always shine in the hearts of her family.

Surviving are her five children, Maria Orzel and husband, Steve, Scranton; Gus Haas, with whom she resided; David Haas and wife, Gail, Peckville; George Haas and wife, Sue, Dallas; and Ann Haas, Scranton; five grandchildren, Eric Orzel and Krista Archibald, David Haas, Lindsay Snyder and husband, Stephen; and Abigail Haas; six great-grandchildren, Evelyn, Stephen, Louis, Kyle, Hayley, Nickelette; and cousins.

The family wishes to thank the fourth-floor staff at the Jewish Home and Hospice of the Sacred Heart, and her faithful caregiver, Mari Patacki, for all the comfort given to Jean.

The funeral will be Thursday at 9 a.m. from the August J. Haas Funeral Home Inc., 202 Pittston Ave., Scranton, with Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 in Nativity of Our Lord Church, St. John Neumann Parish, 633 Orchard St., Scranton, to be celebrated by the Rev. Michael Bryant, pastor. Interment Dunmore Cemetery. Friends may call Wednesday from 3 to 6 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph's Center, 2010 Adams Ave., Scranton, PA 18509.

To leave an online condolence, visit www.augusthaasfuneralhome.com.