Virginia Ann Paoloni

Virginia Ann Paoloni left those who loved her on September 9, 2023. She lived her life on her own terms and will be remembered as a vivacious person who knew how to make every day an adventure even in the smallest ways. She celebrated life’s gifts of love, friendship, faith, kindness and truth. If you were a friend of Virginia’s, you were a friend for life.

In her younger days, Virginia had a variety of talents and participated in many activities. She was a graceful and beautiful dancer and talented pianist. Cheerleading, ice skating and Girl Scouts were among her many interests. During this time she developed a passion for fashion and flair, sporting go-go boots and a pink fur coat.

With a foundation of education at Bishop O’Hara High School and King’s College, she later earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Scranton. Virginia was the President and owner of Paoloni Insurance Agency since 1986 until a recent acquisition. She was designated a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter by the Insurance Institute of America. Because of her success as a woman business owner, she served as a mentor and board member of the King’s College Business Advisory Board and its President’s Council, and was recognized for her professional achievement with many awards and citations.

Although her career was impressive, it pales in comparison to the selfless community work she did supporting literacy for all and empowering women and children. She volunteered with Outreach Girl Scout Troops as a leader, SCOLA Volunteers for Literacy, The Goodwill Good Guides Program, Bradford-Wyoming County Literacy Program, Abington Community Library and Junior Achievement. As a member of the Junior League of Scranton, Virginia was recognized for her project and fundraising efforts and received the Marie Harriman Award as Sustainer of the Year. Most recently, she was instrumental in the launch and development of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library through the United Way of Lackawanna County, a passion project inspired by her love of reading and her desire to connect young minds with the power of books.

Virginia was beginning to enjoy a well-earned retirement, splitting her time between her cherished neighborhood in Clarks Summit and her new special place in North Carolina with her longtime partner Eddie. Her days were filled with keeping herself healthy, hiking, running and enjoying the arts. She could be found reading five books at one time preparing for her four book clubs. Cherishing her time with family and friends both near and far, she treasured her time exploring the world with her nieces and tackling home projects with her nephews.

She is survived by her father, Edmund Paoloni, her sister Lora Lynn, her nieces, Alisa Pearson (Eric) and Emily Topalanchik, nephews, Michael Lynn and Thomas Lynn, great niece, Isabelle, and great nephews, Cole and James. Also surviving are her family of friends, too numerous to mention.

Four days after her death her companion and the love of her life, Eddie Mazaleski, also passed away due to injuries sustained in the storm. She was preceded in death by her sister, Paula Fisco, her mother, Virginia S. Paoloni, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Virginia embraced her faith and was a member of Our Lady of Snows Parish, Clarks Summit, where her funeral mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 9:30am with Msgr. Joseph G. Quinn, pastor, officiating. Burial at SS. Cyril and Methodius Cemetery, Peckville and a reception celebrating her life will follow.

Relatives and friends may call on Tuesday, September 26^th from 5 to 7PM at the Hudak-O’Shea Funeral Home, 115 Garfield Avenue, Olyphant.

The family requests that contributions be made in Virginia’s memory to the literacy program of your choice, such as: the Abington Community Library, 1200 West Grove St., Clarks Summit, PA, 18411, SCOLA Volunteers for Literacy, 629 Cedar Ave., Scranton, PA, 18505 or the Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Lackawanna County, 615 Jefferson Ave. #304, Scranton, PA, 18510.

For directions or online condolences, please visit hudak-osheafuneralhome.com.