Jeanne Pittinger

Eugenia Marie Reap Pittinger was born on October 22, 1928 to Gertrude Martin Reap and Peter A. Reap in Blakely, Pennsylvania.  Jeanne, as she was known to all, passed away with her daughter by her side on March 18, 2024 at the age of 95.

Jeanne attended Lady Cliff Academy on the Hudson, rode a white horse down Pennsylvania Avenue on VE Day, danced at FDR’s inaugural balls, graduated from Central High School in Washington, D.C. at the age of 16 and attended Keystone College.  Following Keystone, Jeanne moved to Philadelphia and served as a medical secretary to pioneering neurosurgeons at Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia.

In February of 1951, her dear friend from College introduced her to his dear friend from the orphans’ school Girard College.  Ed Pittinger asked her to dance and, while dancing, asked her on a date.  Jeanne and Ed Pittinger married December 1st of that same year. Thus began a productive and loving life-journey together.

Jeanne and Ed Pittinger had five children, four of which survived to adulthood. They raised their children in a value-based home focused on dignity, respect, compassion, education and duty to give back to the community to the maximum extent of personal capability. Mrs. Pittinger was an avid genealogist and very proud to honor the family’s Irish ancestry. In addition to raising her family, Jeanne worked for many years with the Northeast Counseling Center, retiring in 1995, and obtained a Bachelor of Arts in 1986 from Misericordia at the age of 57. 

Jeanne Pittinger personified beauty, grace, elegance, kindness and strength.  She was predeceased by her son Jimmy, her mother Getrude (Granny), her brother Jimmy, her husband Ed and her son E.J. Her legacy of honor, generosity of spirit, wisdom, love, and charity will endure through her family and those whose life she touched. Mrs. Pittinger is survived by, and will be greatly missed by, her daughter Beth, her son Chris (Christine Kelley), her son Tim (Nicole Maronian), daughter-in-law Karen (E.J), nephews Jerry Reap (Cindy) and Bill Reap (Brenda), her grandchildren Dana (Mark Ellis), Laura (Mason Beddingfield), Carlye (Jared Hance), Sean (Mallory), Devin, Connor, Delaney, Zach and Bridget and great grandchildren Nick, Will, Ben, Brooke, E.J. and Griffin.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 9:30 AM at Annunciation Parish, Church of St. Gabriel, Hazleton.  Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Drums.

Relatives and friends may call Thursday from 3 PM to 6 PM at the Joseph B. Conahan Funeral Home, Inc.  532 N. Vine St., Hazleton.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Catholic Social Services, 200 W. Chapel Street, Hazleton, PA, 18201

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