Eugenia DeFazio

Eugenia DeFazio, 98, of Dunmore, died Tuesday morning at the Green Ridge Health Care Center. She was the widow of Hector DeFazio, who died on May 31, 1950.

Born in Dunmore, on April 2, 1912, daughter of the late Nicholas and Mary Ann DelVecchio Donato, she was valedictorian of her graduating class at Dunmore High School. Eugenia earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Marywood College in 1933, graduating summa cum laude. She also earned a master's degree from her alma mater. In 1933, she entered the work force as a home visitor for the Lackawanna County Relief Board, until her appointment in January 1935, to a teaching post in the Dunmore School District. Eugenia started her career in education teaching seventh and eighth grades at the Eugene Field School. In 1943, she was reassigned to the English department at Dunmore Junior High School. Eugenia was named vice principal of Dunmore High School in 1945, continuing her classroom duties as a part-time English and Latin teacher. In December 1961, she was appointed principal of Dunmore High School, making her one of few female educators in the country to hold such a title. Eugenia held that post until her retirement in 1977. Her work in education continued as she volunteered her services as principal of St. Anthony of Padua School in Dunmore, for one year. Eugenia was a member of a number of organizations, including Kappa Gamma Pi and Delta Kappa Gamma. She served as president of the Quota Club of Scranton, the Theresians of Scranton, and was a member of SS. Anthony and Rocco Parish, Dunmore, and its Altar and Rosary Society. Despite many achievements and her devotion to the Dunmore School District, Eugenia's greatest joy was the love and care of her family.

Surviving are six nephews, Nicholas Donato, Clarks Summit; Joseph Donato, Winter Park, Fla.; Anthony Donato, Scranton; Victor Donato, Doylestown; Rudy Marazzo, Fairfax, Va.; and Hugh DeFazio, Morristown, N.J.; five nieces, Mary Ann Persichetti, New Hope; Donna Stravinsky, Key West, Fla.; Mary Jean Ferguson, Collierville, Tenn.; Sylvia DiLorenzo, Fort Meyers, Fla.; and Jeanette Krief, New York City; two sisters-in-law, Elma and Jeanette Donato, both of Dunmore; great-nieces and great-nephews and several cousins. She was also preceded in death by three brothers, Sam, Victor and Anthony Donato; and a sister, Frances Donato.

The funeral will be Saturday from the Albert P. O'Donnell Funeral Home, 2025 Green Ridge St., Dunmore, with Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Church, 208 Smith St., Dunmore, to be celebrated by the Rev. David P. Cappelloni. Interment, Mount Carmel Cemetery, Dunmore.

Friends may call today, 4 to 7 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Eugenia DeFazio Scholarship Fund at Dunmore High School, 300 W. Warren St., Dunmore, PA 18512; St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen, 500 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA 18509; or a charity of one's choice.