Christal Lee (Costanzo) Occhipinti

We are profoundly sad to say that our dear mother, wife and daughter, Christal Lee Occhipinti, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, Jan. 13, at Geisinger Community Medical Center after complications due to an illness. She was only 59 years old.
Until we are all joined together again in Heaven, she will be so missed every day. Born in Dunmore on July 7, 1961, Christal was the beloved daughter of Virginia A. and the late Louis D. Costanzo and the beloved “substitute father” Martin Feola. She was the beautiful and loving wife of Ronald J. Occhipinti, and the couple would have celebrated their 23rd wedding anniversary on March 21, 2021. She will forever be his girl. She was also the perfect mother to her two children, Justin and Gia Occhipinti.
Christal, 1979 honors graduate of Dunmore High School, valued education and hard work. She was a 1983 cum laude graduate of Temple University and received a bachelor’s degree in communications. She began her career at Bryn Mawr College and later wrote for The Scranton Times. She then became the assistant director of admissions at Marywood University. Years later, she composed the bulletin and acted as a social media liaison for St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church in Dunmore, where she developed a special bond with Father Doris and her co-workers. Most recently, Christal was a beloved and respected customer service representative at HarperCollins Publishers, where she made so many wonderful friends. Christal took great pride in her career and loved her profession.
While she loved her job, the true passion and love of her life was her family. Christal was such a thoughtful and loving daughter — always looking out for her mother. Destined to be a devoted and loving mother herself, she put her career on pause to raise her two children, Justin and Gia, as a full-time mom from the moment they were born. More than anything else, Christal loved being a mom. As the best mom ever, she always wrapped her children in warm hugs and showered them with love every moment of every day. She was so proud of her children and their accomplishments. Even though Christal dealt with health issues for the past 20 years, she always faced her battles with grace, courage and dignity — never keeping her from being an extraordinary mother and wife. She wholeheartedly supported her children’s endeavors and instilled truly wonderful life values in them. Christal was truly the best listener — if you ever had worries or troubles, she would erase them with her witty humor and advice. She had the rare ability to completely understand you without judgment.
Christal’s hobbies included taking photos, writing, arts and crafts, doodling, organizing and making lists. Christal adamantly loved playing video and board games, shopping, traveling, hosting holiday parties, researching her family’s history and relaxing in her special chair. Christal was a lover of jewelry and everything that sparkles. As an aficionado of naps, Christal invented “nap club” for her family at home. With her huge heart and love for animals, Christal rescued dozens of cats and was a glorious pet-mom to her many pets over the years. As a child of God, Christal was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Dunmore.
Christal is survived by her husband, Ron; children, Justin and Gia; and mother, Virginia, all of Dunmore. She was preceded in death by her father, Louis D. Costanzo; two infant siblings, Crystal Cay and Louis David Costanzo Jr.; aunt, Gloria Slachta; and cousin, Sharon Jackson. Christal’s maternal grandparents were the late Alma and Thomas Watson; and her paternal grandparents were the late Angelina and Anthony Costanzo. Also surviving are Linda, Sheldon and Darin Downey, Evansville, Ind.; Dawn and John Lee, Dublin, Calif.; Dana and Paul Jackson, Dunmore; David and Kelly Dobson; Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Nanci Dobson, Dunmore; Nicole Dobson, Stamford, Conn.; Erika Dobson, Philadelphia; Janine Dobson, Dunmore; former husband, Mike McGoff, Scott Twp.; and also, many more aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Christal will be missed by so many, and her mark on this world will be remembered forever. As she enters the arms of Jesus at the gates of Heaven, she will watch over her friends and family for the rest of time.
A funeral Mass will be held Thursday at 10: a.m. at St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church, Chestnut Street, Dunmore. All those attending the Mass are kindly and respectfully asked to social distance and are required to wear a mask.
Interment, Dunmore Cemetery.
There are no public calling hours. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter in South Abington Twp. in her honor, as she would want every pet to have a forever and loving home.
To leave an online condolence, please visit www.DunmoreFuneralHome.com.

 

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