Jean Wasniewski
June 04, 1931 - August 17, 2024
Visitation: Thursday 4-6PM, Devlin Funeral Home of Cranberry, 2678 Rochester Rd., Cranberry Twp., PA 16066
Service: Friday 1PM, St. Gregory Church, 2 W. Beaver St., Zelienople, PA 16063
93, of Longwood, Florida was peacefully born into eternal life surrounded by her family and
those who loved her, Saturday August 17th, 2024 at Sherwood Oaks in Cranberry Township.
She was born on June 4, 1931 in Dallas, Texas to Marguerite Lenora House and Rufus
Bertram Donaldson. She married Emil Francis Wasniewski, a United States Navy officer who
was destined to become the youngest commander ever to be promoted to that rank at the
time. They were married on April 17th, 1955 in Jacksonville, Florida. Together, they shared 61
happily married years together. They had four beautiful children who survived them –
Kimberly Batista, Stephen Wasniewski, Gigi Haire, and Christine McLeod. Jean now has
twelve loving grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and two more on the way.
Jean was a woman who was as strong as she was beautiful and was often led by
her emotional heart. At a time when it was less commonplace, she was ahead of her time in
both academics and career aspirations. She loved her husband and was truly devoted to her
family and children.
Her life often called her to be flexible and open to change, and Jean always met the
challenge. Her first adventures began after graduating from high school when she attended
Florida State University. In addition to her studies, she found a love of performing the Spanish
Web, an aerial ballet, with the FSU circus and marching as a majorette through the hills of
Tallahassee. Then her sights turned to a new chapter – with her keen interest in the human
body, she transferred to Temple University in Philadelphia and set upon the goal of becoming
a dental hygienist. She graduated and began practicing in her home town of Jacksonville,
Florida. There, her life would take an exciting turn when a friend invited her to her wedding at
the Naval Officer’s Club. From “across a crowded room,” she locked eyes with the groom’s
best man – Emil. It wasn’t long before they fell in love and were married.
Being married to a Navy man meant Jean would soon become very accustomed to
moving around the country. Shortly after they married, they moved to Panama City and then
Norfolk, Virginia. It wasn’t long before they moved again, this time across the country to
Monterey, California so that Emil could attend Naval Engineering School. Jean would later
say that Monterey was her favorite post. After California, Jean and Emil would transfer
between Norfolk and the Pentagon depending on Naval orders.
Despite all the moves, Jean’s passions were never dulled. She was smart and goal
driven. While her husband was off commanding a destroyer abroad, she studied for her
national boards in dental hygiene all while managing a home with her four children. Passing
her national boards would afford her the opportunity to practice in any city the navy might
transfer them to. All her hard work paid off and she passed her exams. Once her husband
returned from sea, he was assigned to the Naval Defense Department at the Pentagon, and
Jean was able to practice dental hygiene in Northern Virginia.
Emil was forced to retire due to an injury he sustained at Sea. Jean and Emil were
once again on the move and relocated to Orlando, Florida. Jean continued to practice dental
hygiene, play tennis and swim. When her hands would no longer allow her to practice as a
hygienist, she returned to her artistic roots painting in water colors and writing children’s
books and poetry. This became Jean’s new passion. She continued to write for years even
after her husband developed melanoma when they were once again faced with a move, this
time to Cranberry, Pennsylvania for treatments.
Jean had a special love for social events, parties, dancing, music, singing and
vanilla ice cream! However, her world dimmed dramatically when she lost her love, Emil, on
June 17th, 2016. She bravely continued with half her heart until this past Saturday when they
were reunited again on August 17th, 2024.
The viewing will be held from 4pm until 6pm Thursday, August 22nd, 2024, at
Devlin Funeral Home of Cranberry 2678 Rochester Road, Cranberry Township, PA 16066.
The celebration of her life will be a funeral Mass to be held at 1pm Friday, August 23rd, 2024
in St. Gregory’s Roman Catholic Church. 2 W Beaver St. Zelienople, PA 16063. In lieu of
flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America at
alzfdn.org/donate or to Bridges Hospice at bridgeshospice.org/donate.
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