Jean Scalessa

Emily "Jean" Scalessa passed away on March 2 surrounded by the love and support of her family. Jean was born in Penns Grove, New Jersey, on July 29, 1942. She was the third of five children born to Joseph and Edith Stephano. Jean spent most of her childhood years in the vicinity of St. Edward's Parish in the Northeast area of Philadelphia, surrounded by an extended Italian family that lovingly transmitted an appreciation for music, (accordion playing, the old player piano), dancing (the "Tarantella'), making homemade pasta and homemade wine, and for living happily without much to live on. In those days, the entertainment was also "homemade", and Jean would spend many evenings listening to stories recounted by 'theatrically minded" relatives and neighbors.
The Stephano family moved to Wilmington, Delaware in August 1953. In September, Jean entered St. Elizabeth's High School where she decided to join the Glee Club and enrolled at the Wilmington School of Music as a piano student. It was in her senior year that Jean had her first opportunity to move her musical talent from the family parlor to the stage. After intending to just 'tag along' with a few St. Elizabeth Glee Club friends who wanted to audition for the Spring Musical at Salesianum, Jean was coaxed into trying out as well. With her natural alto voice she landed the lead in "Oklahoma' which ultimately resulted in her receiving a scholarship to attend the Catholic University of America School of Music. Once there, Jean was invited to join a select group of singers called "The Cardinalairs", performing at many signature events in Washington DC and New York.
Upon graduation, Jean married Donald Scalessa and had two children, Donald and Stefanie, and accepted a position at St. John's Military Academy as the choral director. Accommodating her husband's growing career as a corporate real estate broker, Jean moved many times over the course of her married life, and in each location, she quickly identified opportunities for developing her musicality. In Sarasota, Florida she discovered a talent for organizing and fundraising for cultural events, and she assisted in forming the Asolo Opera Association, where she had the chance to welcome a young Luciano Pavarotti when he performed there. After additional moves to Washington, D.C., Maryland, Georgia, and New Jersey, the family returned to Wilmington in 1980. Jean was immediately offered the position of choral director at Salesianum High School and St. Elizabeth's. It was also during this time that Jean launched a talented choral group called "The Delaware Singers". The initiation of this group is what established Jean as a promotor of culture in the state of Delaware. Her dream was to enhance the quality and diversity of entertainment options in her hometown. She traveled to Italy to study music, and on a later trip with members from the Delaware Singers, performed to a private audience at the Vatican. In 1988 she was offered the position as Director of Music Ministry at St. Anthony's where she not only infused a greater love of the classical Italian tradition into special "Feast Day" liturgical celebrations, (Columbus Day, St. Anthony's Feast Day, and the Via Crucis with a 'live' chorus), but she enhanced the secular side of the Italian Festival by promoting a more comprehensive cultural experience. This led to the launching of "Arianna", which was created to promote Italian culture for all ages through musical performances highlighting composers and performers from Italy. The group offered some of the most artistically brilliant performances in the city of Wilmington.
While at St. Anthony's, Jean worked to create a 'spirit of prayerfulness' through music, and devoted her time to developing and encouraging young people to participate in the music liturgy. Many of Jean's grade school students became so inspired and encouraged by her that they have continued on to become professional music ministers and musicians of their own. One of Jean's most treasured memories was organizing reunions with these young talented students and making music together in her home after ordering take out from her son's restaurant, Scalessa's Italian Kitchen.
Following her retirement from St. Anthony's in 2007, Jean continued to work in ministry part-time at St. Ann's and then eventually playing the organ at St. Elizabeth's. Jean was an art enthusiast, an avid learner, tremendous cook, and traveler. She marveled at the beauty of a budding flower, birds nesting in her birdhouses, the color from a brushstroke, the buttery goodness of a homemade croissant, and the smells from a seasoned kitchen. But most of all, Jean was genuine. She took the time to ask people their names and where they were from. She loved to laugh and was a master at welcoming you into her home and her heart. Her happiest moments were those shared in the comfort of her home around a table of food, telling stories and making memories. She was a true child of God and trusted Him to guide her inner voice. Jean is survived by her son Donald Scalessa, daughter Stefanie Scalessa-Whitby (Lou), her sisters Concetta Dallas, Mary Jane McInnis (Don), and her brother, Joseph Stephano. Her much loved grandchildren, Alicia Scalessa-Abreu (Jeff), Nicole Scalessa, Donald Scalessa, and her great grandchildren, Cameron Abreu, and Lola Abreu. To our loving Mother, Grandmother, Sister, continue to be the "eternal optimist" and pray for us as we pray for you.
Family and friends are invited to visit at the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Road, Pike Creek on Friday, March 8 from 3:00 – 7:00PM.
An additional visitation will be held at St. Elizabeth Church, Cedar and Clayton Streets, Wilmington on Saturday, March 9 from 11:00 – 11:45AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00PM. Interment will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Jean may be made to the Capuchin Poor Clare Sisters, c/o St. Veronica Giuliani Monastery, 816 N. Jefferson Street, Wilmington, DE 19801.
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