Jessie Grace Eilenberger

Jessie Grace Rosengrant Tarr Eilenberger (Grace), 91, of Carbondale (formerly from Scranton and Clarks Summit) died Saturday peacefully at home surrounded by family.

Born in Scranton, the youngest child of Llewellyn D. and Louise M. Williams Rosengrant. She was blessed with two wonderful husbands, Norman M. Tarr, who died in 1958, and Donald L. Eilenberger, the first Mayor of Clarks Summit, who died in 1982. She was a longtime member of Hickory Street Presbyterian Church and a 1937 graduate of Scranton Technical High School. A woman of many talents, she was an expert cook, baker and seamstress, but could also do upholstery, minor carpentry and mechanical repairs. As a young woman, she worked at Knoepfel's Drug Store and Woolworth's, both of Scranton. After the death of her first husband, she held down two jobs, as a manager for Williams Bakery resale stores and as Social Secretary for the Scranton Club, in order to support her five young children. She gave her children unconditional love and taught them a positive work ethic, honor, empathy, respect and to always take the high road. She loved travelling, family gatherings and nightly pinochle games at her kitchen table. To her friends and family, she was truly our own "Amazing Grace."

The family expresses great appreciation to Liz Davis, Grace's personal care nurse for more than five years, Dr. Steven Eisner, Geisinger Life Program at Marywood University and Hospice of the Sacred Heart.

She is survived by her four daughters, to whom she was both Mother and Best Friend; Carol G. Jenkins, Ransom Township, Jill L. Giglia and husband Philip, with whom she has resided for the last nine years in Carbondale, Norma L. Jones and husband Thomas, Reeders, Valerie E. Sneed and husband Harold, Waxahachie, Texas, and stepson, B. Donald Eilenberger, Scranton. Also 16 grandchildren who adored her: Shari G. Jenkins Turpack, Amy E. Jenkins Yarns, Christiane E. Jenkins Borders, Jessica R. Jenkins Wells, Amanda M. Giglia Prawdzik, Angela M. Giglia Morrison, Lisa L. Jones Zelko, Todd L. Jones, Jeffrey N. Jones, David M. Caruso, Alicia G. Caruso Schaeffer, Robert S. Caruso, Douglas P. Caruso, Sarah E. (Tarr) Russoniello, Jesse M. Tarr, Sumer A. Tarr and stepgrandchildren, David A. and Donald B. Eilenberger.

She also leaves 39 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-granddaughter, all of whom knew her as G.G. and loved sharing time with her whenever possible, as well as a sister-in-law, Esther Rosengrant and many nieces and nephews, all of whom loved her dearly. She was preceded in death by her only son, John M. Tarr, a stepson, David B. Eilenberger, a grandson David Norman Caruso, a granddaughter Brandy Lane Turman, a great-granddaughter Eva Grace Evans, son-in-law, Donald T. Jenkins, four brothers, Walter D., Robert B., George W. & Llewellyn I., and her only sister, Ruth F. McCormack.

The funeral will be held on Wednesday at 11 AM at the Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home, 418 S. State Street, Clarks Summit, with services held by the Reverend Dr. Tom H. Collins, Hickory Street Presbyterian Church, Scranton PA 18509. Friends may call on Tuesday from 4 o'clock PM until 8 o'clock PM. Interment: Abington Hills Cemetery, Morgan Highway, South Abington Township. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Hickory Street Presbyterian Church, 435 Hickory Street, Scranton PA 18505.