Joanne Scrimalli Murrin

Joanne Scrimalli Murrin, 68, of Nicholson Twp., died late Wednesday, with her loved ones at her side. She and her husband, William Murrin, celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary in April.

Born in Scranton, she was the daughter of the late Michael E. and Josephine Belavage Scrimalli. She was a 1973 graduate of Dunmore High School and later completed the cosmetology program at Empire Beauty School. Before retirement, she was a longtime employee of Keystone College, working in various roles within the registrar’s and financial aid offices. She received the college’s Staff Member of the Year award in 2007.  

Her most important job, however, was her cherished role as mother and grandmother. She was the center of our family, the knot that held everything and everyone together. She spent decades comforting, encouraging, supporting, and believing in her children and grandchildren. It’s almost impossible to express how much her guidance, kindness, love, humor, and hugs will be missed.

Joanne was the kind of person everyone instantly fell in love with. She made everyone feel like they were the most important person to her. She had the most beautiful smile, the kind that is so strong and genuine, you feel it.

Joanne’s faith was extremely important to her. She was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Dunmore.

Joanne loved a good cup of tea, crime shows, shopping, traveling, cooking, crafting, gardening, heading to the casino with the “Fab Four,” and talking on the phone for hours, especially with her sister and best friend, Rose. She loved a good party, and never wanted a fun time to end. Most of all, Joanne loved her family, ending every conversation and message with, “Love you more.”

In addition to her husband, she is survived by their daughters, Aubrey Collins and husband Jon, Caldwell, NJ, Kiersten Gatto and husband John, Dunmore, and Elyse Murrin and partner Joey Trinity, Denver, CO; grandchildren Emilia, Madeline, and Michael; sister Rose Kobeski and husband Fran, Dunmore; sister-in-law Regina Wisneski and husband Stanley, Blakely, brother-in-law Frank Murrin, Dunmore; multiple nieces and nephews, including Cassie Kobeski Schlittler, who was more like a fourth daughter to her; many cousins; and countless friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Carmen M. Scrimalli, sister Theresa Scrimalli Rinaldi and husband Dan, nephew Michael Rinaldi, and brother-in-law Thomas Murrin.

The family would like to thank the clinicians, nurses, and staff at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center and the nurses, aides, and staff from Allied Services Hospice for their kindness and compassionate care. The family also wishes to extend their gratitude to Dr. Michael Kondash for over 30 years of care and friendship.

The funeral will be Saturday, November 4 from the Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home, Inc., 318 E. Drinker St., Dunmore, with Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church, Chestnut St., Dunmore. Interment to follow in Dunmore Cemetery.

Family and friends may pay their respects from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, November 3 at the funeral home. 

Contributions in Joanne’s memory may be made to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation 5526 W 13400 S, # 510, Herriman, UT, United States or Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center 3535 Market Street, Suite 750, Philadelphia, PA 19104.

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