Jeanette Josephine Chimenti

Jeanette Josephine (Kwiatkowski) Chimenti, of Erie, Pa., passed away at home on February 17, 2024 at the age of 98. She was born in Erie in 1925, the daughter of Konstanty Kwiatkowski and Albina Wisniewska Kwiatkowski.
Our mother, Jenny to those who knew her, was a hard worker on the job and as a homemaker. To help support her widowed mother and younger siblings, she quit Strong Vincent High School after 10th grade and moved from Erie to Cleveland to work as a riveter at the Fisher Body Aircraft Plant, which produced major assemblies for the Boeing B-29 bomber during World War II. After the war's end, she moved back to Erie and married Carl Chimenti when he returned home from the U.S. Army, where he served as a surgical technician stationed in England and then Germany. He was the 'boy next door' when they were growing up together in Erie's Little Italy neighborhood. After her children were old enough to care for themselves, Jenny worked various jobs outside the home: as a food sample demonstrator at the Erie County Farms supermarket; then on her own as a wallpaper hanger, then reupholstering furniture.
As a homemaker Jenny could often be found sewing, painting, wallpapering, gardening, and refinishing old furniture; as well as cooking and caring for her family. She also enjoyed crafts such as ceramics; and painting with watercolors. At church she enthusiastically sang in the choir: first at St. George then later at St. Stephen. Our mother had an adventurous spirit and enjoyed travel to places as diverse as Cancun Mexico, London England, and North Bay Ontario. She went to Disneyworld, attended the 1964 World's Fair in New York City, and toured our nation's Capital in Washington D.C. But her most joyful trip was an excursion to Philadelphia in 1979 to see the first Polish Pope, John Paul II, of whom she was so proud.
Jenny was an extrovert by nature who enjoyed visiting with friends and family, and although she may have never voiced the word herself, she was a 'humanitarian' at heart. She did not fear, resent, or dismiss folks of another color or creed and she did not allow her lack of a higher education hinder her from standing up for herself or others in the face of unfairness.
In her old age, our mother would reminisce at times how kindly the Jewish wife of the proprietor of Cohen's Dry Goods Store treated her when she was employed there as a 14-year-old part time domestic worker in 1939, the year her father passed away. Much later in life, she enjoyed attending the Catholic Mass in a congregation that included immigrants and the children of immigrants, perhaps because it called to mind her own childhood: born in Erie of immigrant parents, in her case from Poland.
Our mother also believed in angels and their presence in this world as well as the next. One day back in the 1950's, as a young housewife raising her own family in their home on the 500 block of West 19th Street, she overheard a group of children in the backyard picking who was going to be 'it' for their game of tag. When she heard them chant an inappropriate rhyme that began "Eeny, meeny, miny, moe," she came out of the house and said: "Children, don't say that word, say catch an angel."
Jeanette was preceded in death by her husband of (58) years, Carl A. Chimenti. She was also preceded in death by all fourteen of her siblings, many of whom anglicized their family name from Kwiatkowski to "Flowers". In order of their birth, her brothers were: Joseph, Alfons, Casimer, Alois, Stanley, Carl, Rudolph, Eddie, Bernie, Constant Charles, and Vinny. Her sisters were: Mrs. Cecelia Sassler, Mrs. Pauline Bickerstaff, and Mrs. Antoinette Kaliszak.
Jeanette and her family owe the memory of Mr. Chester Vendetti Sr. a debt of gratitude for his act of charity many years ago. He provided the funds for the Christian burial of her younger brother Constant Charles when their own parents were struggling through the hard times of the Great Depression. Constant Charles, named after his father Konstanty, died at age four after being struck by a car in front of the Kwiatkowski family residence on West 18th Street in 1936.
Jeanette was also proceeded in death by many nieces and nephews, most recently: Mrs. Kristene Kwiatkowski Callo, Mr. Skipp Flowers, Mrs. Kathy Kaliszak Pachuta, and Patricia Flowers. Among the many friends who preceded Jeanette in death was lifelong friend Mary Spadacene.
Jeanette is survived by all four of her children: Mrs. Deborah Cannavino and husband Art, and Paul, Gregory, and Lydia Chimenti; all of Erie. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and by long time friend and good neighbor Dolores Hammer. The family would like to thank the staff of Aseracare Hospice Services, and all of our friends who helped us care for our mother in the comfort of her home. In lieu of a memorial donation, a thoughtful remembrance or a prayer on Jenny's behalf would be an act of kindness.
Friends are invited to call on Friday from 2 to 7 pm at the Brugger Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1595 West 38th Street. A mass will be held on Saturday at St. Paul Church, 1617 Walnut Street at 11 am. Burial will be private in Gate of Heaven Cemetery.