Jean C. Rodda

Jean C. Rodda, 91, of Dallas, passed away Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018, in Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center.

She was born Jean Catherine Dawson on April 14, 1926, second daughter of Victor Alan Dawson and Teresa Ziegler Dawson, in Englewood, N.J.

She attended Englewood schools, graduating from Dwight Morrow High School in 1943. She also attended New Jersey State Teachers College at Trenton and Newark, N.J., graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in art education in 1947.

Jean married Lester W. Hauck in 1947 and lived in Princeton, N.J., Boulder, Colo., Karisruhe, West Germany, and Stillwater, Okla., before moving to the Wyoming Valley and Back Mountain in 1956.

Jean had taught art in the Tunkhannock School District and at Wyoming Seminary Lower School. Upon the death of her husband, Lester, in 1978, she was employed as cartographer in the engineering department of UGI, Kingston, from which she retired in 1991.

Jean was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Wilkes-Barre. There she served as choir member, deacon and elder. She was also a founder and charter member of Trinity Presbyterian Church, Dallas.

While living in Wilkes-Barre, Jean ran unsuccessfully for school director on the Republican ticket. She was also a past president of the Wilkes-Barre Women of Rotary and of the Rotary Club of Dallas and was the recipient of The Paul Harris Fellowship Award from the Dallas Rotary.

Jean's volunteer work was with many organizations, including the Back Mountain Memorial Library, the Slightly Read Bookshop, BMML, Meals on Wheels, Association for the Blind, preschool vision screening, RSVP, Leader Girl Scouts (Brownies) and Rotary student exchange program host families.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lester Hauck; and elder sister, Ruth Boyd.

Surviving are her husband of 34 years, Paul M. Rodda; daughters, Barbara Hauck, Erie; Catherine Kate Bender, Edinboro; Patrica Kline, Lawn; the Rev. Nancy Topolewski, East Lempster, N.H.; Jenni Rodda, Mamaroneck, N.Y.; and Abby Aristeo, Trucksville; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be held privately at the convenience of the family.

Arrangements are under the direction of Richard H. Disque Funeral Home Inc., 2940 Memorial Highway, Dallas.

Interment will be in the Stryker-Rodda family plot in Congregational Church Cemetery, Chester, N.J.

Memorial donations may be made to the Back Mountain Memorial Library, c/o 96 Huntsville Road, Dallas, PA 18612, or to the donor's choice.