Claire Scalonge

1947 - 2024

PITTSTON — Claire Scalonge, formerly Clara Louise Wagner, of Pittston, passed away at home Saturday, July 27, 2024.

She was born in Pittston on Sept. 17, 1947, to parents Margaret Kress Wagner and William A. Wagner, of Pittston. She was the youngest of nine children.

Claire graduated from Pittston High School in 1965. She went on to graduate from Empire Beauty Academy in Wilkes-Barre. Claire worked as a secretary for Ashley Machine & Tool and a card cutter at Topps Chewing Gum, until the plant's closure. Her favorite job of all was raising her three girls, whom she adored. Later on in life she again used her gift of childcare, helping to raise a second generation by caring for her grandchildren.

She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and spouse. In 2005, she married John Scalonge, with whom she shared nearly twenty years of marriage. Combined, the two shared seven children and thirteen grandchildren.

Claire loved listening to music and taking Sunday drives. She loved Elvis Presley and, after a favorite vacation with John to Graceland and Nashville, she became a country music fan. As long as she was around music, she was happy. Claire also loved to decorate, shop, and had a keen sense of fashion. She would give anyone the shirt off her back or right out of her closet.

Claire was preceded in death by her parents, Margaret Kress Wagner and William A Wagner; her brothers: William F., Charles, Michael, and David. She is survived by her brothers: John, of Pittston; and Robert of Gambrills, of Maryland; and sisters: Mary Theresa McHugh, of West Pittston, and Peggy Homnick, of Sayreville, New Jersey; and several nieces and nephews.

Her children are: Christine McLaughlin and her husband, James and children, Maryclare and Seamus; Nadine Dreier, of Wyoming, her husband Joseph and children, Cora, Katie, and Nick; Heidi Stredny and husband Aaron, of Shavertown; Debbie Lafratte and husband Tony, of Dallas and their two sons, Christopher, and Anthony and wife, Briana; John Jr. Scalonge and wife Cecile, and their two sons: John and Michael, of Ohio; Brenda Antonacci and daughter Angelina, of West Pittston; Beth Ann Connor, of Dupont, and husband Jeremy, and their three daughters Emelia, Anna, and Cecilia.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday, with a Mass of Christian Burial in Our Lady of the Eucharist Parish, 535 North Main Street, Pittston. Friends may call from 9 to 10 a.m. in the church. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.

Arrangements are by the Paul F. Leonard Funeral Home, Pittston.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Claire's name to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 30 E.D. Preate Drive, Suite 108, Moosic, PA 18507, to which Claire and family were extremely grateful for their care and support.