Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

Jean M. Foley

FUNERAL HOME

M.J. McLaughlin Company

142 South Washington Street

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

Jean Foley Obituary

MOUNTAIN TOP — After a brief illness, Jean M. Foley, of Mountain Top, entered peacefully into eternal rest with her family at the bedside at her home on Feb. 11, 2015.

Born July 21, 1927, in Yonkers, New York, Jean was a daughter of the late Joseph E. and Katherine Murphy Cavanaugh.

She received her bachelor's in nursing at the College of Mount St. Vincent and was a clinical instructor in medical and surgical nursing at Flower Fifth Avenue School of Nursing in New York City. It was there that she met her future husband, T. Raymond Foley Jr., M.D. They married on June 28, 1952, and in 1956 Dr. and Mrs. Foley moved to Mountain Top where they raised their family. They were happily married for 16 years until the tragic passing of Dr. Foley on April 29, 1968.

Jean was the mother of her "five wonderful sons" as proudly proclaimed on a 1987 State Route 309 billboard celebrating her 60th birthday. She was a founding member of the Parish of St. Jude and the Mountain Top Bridge Club. She was an instructor at the Red Cross of Wyoming Valley and recently retired from her position as general manager of Cavanaugh's Grille at the former Mountain Top Hotel. She was an active volunteer at the Kirby Library in Mountain Top. Her passions included bridge (affectionately known as the "Queen of Bridge"), reading, travel and her many friends and family.

Her son, Gerard, died May 15, 1997.

Jean will be greatly missed by her sons, Dr. T. Raymond Foley III, M.D., and his wife, Ann, Lancaster, Brian, Manahawkin, New Jersey, Kevin and his wife, Alice, Mountain Top, and Jim, Atlanta; grandchildren, T. Raymond Foley IV, M.D., Denver, Kerry F. Warznak and her husband, Craig, Philadelphia, Michael K. Foley, St. Louis, Katherine J. Foley, Lancaster, Maggie T., Laura J. and Nestor E. Foley, Atlanta; step-grandchildren, John P. Mooney, Wilkes-Barre, Kathleen M. Mooney, West Chester, Christine L. Mooney, Mountain Top; great-grandchildren, Jack L. Warznak and Keirsi K. Mooney; and many nephews and nieces.

Jean is also survived by her best friend and companion of many years, Robert J. Ell; and her honorary children, Bobby Ell and his wife, Babette, Plains Township, Chrissy Darby and her husband, Larry, Pittston, Bonnie and her husband, Bruce Kunkle, Orange; and honorary grandchildren, Zachary, Dalton, Greta and Tucker Ell, Kate Darby, Bruce, husband of Dr. Cynelle Kunkle, Tami and Morgan Kunkle.

Celebration of Jean's life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at McLaughlin's, 142 S. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre, with funeral Mass at 11 a.m. in the Church of St. Jude. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held at McLaughlin's from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday.

Memorial donations are preferred and may be made to the Marian Sutherland Kirby Library, 35 Kirby Ave., Mountain Top, PA 18707; or to benefit Crestwood student athletes via the Jean M. Foley Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 432, Mountain Top, PA 18707.

Memories and condolences may be shared with Jean's family at www.lifecelebrations.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Mercury News from Feb. 12 to Feb. 13, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Jean Foley

19 Entries

February 19, 2015

A full life and quite a legacy to have left to so many.

Ravona & Kenneth Molkner

Megan McLaughlin

February 18, 2015

Foley and Ell Families, my heart goes out to you all. As long as I can remember, I have always seen Mrs. Foley and my grandma as writing the book on aging with style, grace and humor. An inspiration to us all!
Love, Megan Mclaughlin

February 16, 2015

Mountaintop was indeed fortunate to benefit from almost 60 years of Jean's energy, intelligence and involvement in this community. She will be sorely missed as people remember her strength and goodness. Condolences to her loving family. Eileen Wildes Norkunas

February 16, 2015

Our sympathy and condolences go out to the Foley Family. You will be in our prayers.
Our Deepest Sympathy,
The Minogue's

February 15, 2015

Mountain Top has lost a great lady as Jean was loved and respected by everyone who knew her. Jean was my bridge mentor and no doubt she is still playing and getting dealt Heavenly hands.

Much love and sympathy to her family.
John and Sterling Dougherty

Pam joe Yuscavage

February 14, 2015

To all of the Foley family our love and prayers thoughts and memories are headed your way. What a wonderful mother and an incredible woman. We love you

February 14, 2015

Our heart felt condolences to the Foley family and all her extended family. We all adored Jean and proclaimed her "an amazing woman!" I hope you find comfort in her peaceful depart and reunion with her Heavenly family. God bless you ad keep you at this sad time.
Sincerely, Valerie and Jack Weigand
Mountaintop, PA

February 14, 2015

Our sympathy to the Foley family as you grieve the death of the very beautiful Jean Foley. We are so blessed to have met this amazing women several times. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
The Gleason Family, Atlanta, GA

Ron& Elizabeth Biernacki

February 13, 2015

To the Foley Family,
Thinking of all of you. You're in my prayers. She will be greatly missed by so many of us. I'm glad I got to visit with her at Christmas.

Vivienne Wildes

February 13, 2015

My condolences to the many friends and family of Jean Foley, but especially to her "wonderful sons". Your mom will always be remembered fondly by those who knew her. She was the rock for you and I know you will miss her terribly. I hope the many memories and thoughts of Jean bring comfort at this time. She always brought a smile to my face.

Jimmy & Terry (Nardone) Murphy

February 13, 2015

We are sorry to hear of the passing of you mother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very sad time.

ANDY MAMARY

February 13, 2015

MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY, WE OFTEN REMINISED ABOUT THE GOOD TIMES HER HUSBAND & I HAD AT PERUGINOS ON SO. MAIN ST. JEAN WAS A LOVELY PERSON, MAY HER SOUL REST IN PEACE

Fr. Joseph Long

February 13, 2015

Dear Family, You are in my thoughts and Prayers. I will be offering Mass for Jean this weekend. I feel fortunate to have counted Jean & Bob Ell as very dear friends. With Sympathy and Prayers, Fr. Joseph Long CSC (King's College)

Jonathan & Michele Luciano

February 13, 2015

Ray, Ann and family,
Words cannot express the sadness we feel for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Kevin McHale

February 13, 2015

Kevin and family - Sorry to hear about the passing of your mother. My thoughts and prayers are with you

Kathy Ferenchick

February 13, 2015

We are so sorry for your loss. Jean was a great lady. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
George and Kathy Ferenchick

Mollie Obrien

February 13, 2015

So sorry for your loss Kevin and Alice. You and you family are in our thoughts and prayers. She was a wonderful woman and you'll be comforted by your many wonderful memories. Love, Mollie and Bernie

Manus Mulherin

February 13, 2015

Kevin and Alice, We're so sorry for your loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with you. Manus & Hilda

Nancy Harworth

February 12, 2015

I am so saddened to learn that your Mom passed away. Don and I have so many fond memories of Jean throughout the years. She was a special and loving woman. We will miss her terribly. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Showing 1 - 19 of 19 results