Maureen "Honey" (McHugh) Pesavento

Maureen "Honey" McHugh Pesavento, 88, of Scranton, passed away Monday in the Allied Services Hospice Center, succumbing to an injury sustained in a fall. She was preceded in death by her husband, John "Jack" R. Pesavento. They were married 52 years.

Born in Scranton, Maureen was the daughter of the late Eileen McHugh and William Naegeli and stepdaughter of Kathleen Naegeli.

Maureen was a 1950 graduate of Scranton Central High School and received both her bachelor's (1954) and master's (1957) degrees from Marywood University. She taught fourth grade at Samuel F.B. Morse School before joining her husband at Pesavento Monuments Inc., a business that has been in the Pesavento family for more than 100 years. In 1973, Maureen and Jack also opened Chimney Charm, a fireplace store in Scranton. Upon retirement from professional work, Maureen became an accredited teacher of the American Contract Bridge League and was a Master Bridge Player.

Maureen also devoted much of her time to philanthropy. She believed in serving her community and her neighbors by supporting a large variety of organizations that provide critical community services. Maureen was a major advocate for education at our local schools and for many community organizations. She served multiple positions on the board of the Century Club, including president and treasurer. Maureen also served on the board of directors for Meals on Wheels, Outreach and University of Scranton Board of Visitors. She was a founding and active member of Women in Philanthropy and is credited for being a forward-thinking voice who always considered the longevity and sustainability of the organizations she loves. Even in her final moments, she was asking about the NEPA Youth Shelter.

Maureen was a trailblazer, and when she had a great idea, there was no stopping her drive. In 1992, Maureen was elected as the first woman president of the Monument Builders of Pennsylvania. She was also chairperson of the Jane MacKenzie Scholarship Committee, which awards a full scholarship to a student in the Scranton School District. She was program chairperson for the Jane MacKenzie Lecture Series and a member of the Sister Cuthbert Donovan Society of Marywood University, Lackawanna County Commission for Women and the Jefferson Foundation Board. She also co-chaired Cards for Charity, an event which benefited local charities.

A frequent face in The Scranton Times-Tribune, Maureen has been recognized by the community for her many contributions. She received the Martha Wollerton Award, the Mighty Oak Award and the Elaine F. Shepard Award, all which recognized Maureen's contribution of service to the welfare of the community.

Maureen was devoted to her Catholic faith and was a lifelong parishioner of St. Patrick's Parish in West Scranton. In 2012, Maureen was inducted to the Order of Malta, an organization devoted to the exercise of Christian virtue and charity by expending their energies serving the poor and the sick.

Maureen loved to travel. She and Jack enjoyed taking cruises, traveling with their entire family to a new destination each summer. Maureen was an avid reader and liked to spend time at the local casinos. Most of all, Maureen loved spending time with her family. She never missed a family party or a chance to celebrate.

Surviving are her five children, Mary Icker and husband, Kevin, Scranton; John E. and wife, Sandy, Clarks Summit; Paul and companion, Michele Feisal, Arlington, Va.; Ann DiFiore and husband, Felix, Upper Gwynedd; and James and wife, Susan, Enola; 14 grandchildren, Amanda McGowan and husband, Ryan; Jennifer Kapp and husband, Brian; Lauren Murray and husband, Ryan; Jackie, Anthony, Danielle, Mia, Will, John and Lexi Pesavento; Kevin and wife, Lindsey; and Rebecca Icker, Nicholas and Phillip DiFiore; and nine great-grandchildren, Emily, Lucy and Maddie McGowan, Grace, Alice and Harrison Kapp, Silas and Bailey Murray, and Maisey Icker; brother, Kenneth Naegeli and wife, Margie; sister, Kay Cardamone and husband, Jack; nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Saturday with Mass of Christian Burial at noon in St. Paul's Church, 1510 Penn Ave., Scranton, celebrated by Monsignor Neil J. Van Loon and Monsignor David L. Tressler, who were both active in the Order of Malta. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery.

Friends may call Saturday at the church from 10 to 11:45 a.m. The Mass will be livestreamed on the Facebook pages of our funeral homes. Social distancing guidelines will be enforced and face masks will be required.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to John & Maureen Pesavento Funds, c/o Scranton Area Foundation, 615 Jefferson Ave., Suite 102, Scranton, PA 18510 or http://safdn.org/donate; NEPA Youth Shelter, 541 Wyoming Ave., Scranton, PA 18509 or www.nepayouthshelter.org/donate.

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